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Chicago Teachers College
and
Woodrow Wilson Junior College
Library
LIBRARY BUREAU CAT. NO. 1 169.6
"VLOBD453
" ~~ "
F 548.65 .L7 Al 1899
Chicago (111.),
Commissioners of Lincoln
Report of the Commissioner
[April 1. 1898-March 31,
>, \
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK, AND THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
CARLI: Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois
http://archive.org/details/reportofcommissi1899chic
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
COMPILED BY I. J. BRYAN
I
CHICAGO
PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONERS
1899
,tf/3
l?99
Copyright, 1899
By the commissioners of;lincoln park
THE COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN PARK
JOSEPH E. DUNTON,
205 La Salle Street
WM. PENN NIXON,
Inter Ocean Building
OTTO C. SCHNEIDER,
302 North Clark Stn
MICHAEL SHIELDS,
LLOYD J. SMITH,
US Van Buren Street
F. H. WINSTON,
P. M. WOODWORTH, M. D.
1246 North Clark
OFFICERS
Wasl.in-.'tim Street
.MICHAEL SHIELDS, Vice-Presid
LLOYD J. SMITH, Auditor
P. M. WOODWORTH, M. D., Pr
I. J. BRYAN. Secretary
PAUL REDIESKE, Superin-
james McCartney, attor
H. A. HAUGAN, Treasurer
FINANCE
SCHNEIDER, SHIELDS, WINSTON
JUDICIARY
NIXON, SCHNEIDER, WINSTON
STANDING COMMITTEES
HORTICULTURE
WINSTON, NIXON, SCHNEIDER
DUNTON, SHIELDS, SMITH
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
SHIELDS, SMITH, DUNTON
PROTECTION
SMITH, WINSTON, NIXON
DUNTON, SMITH, NIXON
'
COMMISSIONERS AND OFFICERS OF LINCOLN PARK
FROM 1863 TO 1899
COMMISSIONERS
EZRA B. McCAGG - -
JOSEPH STOCKTON -
JOHN B. TURNER*
ANDREW NELSON - -
JACOB REH.M - - -
SAMUEL M. NICKERSON
BELDEN F. CULVER -
WM. H. BRADLEY - -
FRANCIS H. KALES -
FREDERICK H. WINSTON
A. C. HESING - . . .
THOS. F. WTTHROW - .
L. J. KADISH - - . .
-MAX HJORTSBERG* - -
ISAAC N. ARNOLD* - -
CHARLES CATLIN - -
J. MCGREGOR ADAMS - -
CHAS. B. FAR WELL - -
WM. C. GOUDY* - . .
HORATIO N. MAY* - -
Feb
9, 1S69
- Nov
28, 1S7
- Feb
9, 1869*
Jan.
20, rS93
Feb
9, 1S69
Feb
26, 1S7
- Feb
| Feb
1 Feb
- Nov
9, 1S69
9, 1S69
1S74
1871
Nov
Nov
July
Nov
28, 1S7
28, 1871
1876
1874
Nov
1S71
June
1S77
- Nov
1871
Nov.
1S76
Nov.
J Feb.
ljune
Feb.
1871
1874
22, 1S93
1874
Nov.
Nov.
July,
1874
18S6
1876
July,
1876
Nov.
1S86
July,
1876
Feb.
S83
June,
.877
M ay
6, 18S0
June
29, 18S0
April
1884
Feb.
3. 1S83
Nov.
29, 18S6
May
7, 1SS4
Nov.
'9, 1S86
Nov.
29, 1SS6
April
1887
Nov.
j Nov.
/ April
29, 1886
9, 1SS6
28, f8o 7
April,
Jan. 2
Sept.
■893
D, 1S93
30, 189S
ANDREW E. LEICHT .
JAMES A. SEXTON -
JOHN WORTHY . .
CHARLES S. KIRK -
CHRIS. STRASSHEIM -
ROBERT A. WA-LLER
AUGUST HEUER - .
CHARLES F. CLARKE*
JOHN S. COOPER . -
ANDREW CRAWFORD
BERNARD F. WEBER -
MARTIN BECKER
EGBERT JAMIESON -
PHILIP HENRICI
WM. PENN NIXON -
PETER HAND - -
P. M. WOODWORTH
M. SHIELDS - -
JOSEPH E. DUNTON -
OTTO C. SCHNEIDER,
LLOYD J. SMITH - -
Nov
29, 1886
Jan.
28, 1S92
Apr
1, 1S87
Feb.
iSSS
Feb
1888
Jan.
28, 1892
Jan.
28, 1892
Marc
h, 1894
Jan.
2S, 1892
Jan.
20, 1S93
Jan.
20, rS93
May,
1894
Jan.
20, ,893
May
IS94
Jan.
20, 1S93
Oct.
8, rS93
Jan.
22, 1894
May,
■895
Mar.
26, 1S94
April
1896
May
■4, 1S94
May
7. 1895
May
14, 1S94
April
28, 1S97
Sept.
2, 1S95
April
28, 1S97
Sept.
2, rS9 5
April
28, 1897
April
IS, 1S96
April
28, 1897
January, 1899
June
June
10, 1S97
0, 1897
June
0, 1897
Jan.
8, 1899
April
5, 1899
PRESIDENTS
E. E. McCAGG -
B. F. CULVER
F. H. WINSTON
JOSEPH STOCKTON
C. B. FARWELL
W. C. GOUDY
Nov. 28,
Feb. 24,
Jan. 5, If
Nov.
28, 1S71
Feb.
24. i874
Jan.
5, 1S86
Dec.
7, 1886
Jan.
5, 1887
Apri
, 1S93
ROBERT A. WALLER
ANDREW CRAWFORD
F. H. WINSTON
WM. PENN NIXON
P. M. WOODWORTH
15, 1893 May, 1894
14, 1894 March 30, 1896
30, 1896 Nov. 10, 1896
10, 1S96 Dec. 30, 1S97
30, 1S97
JOSEPH STOCKTON (temporary) Mar.
E. S. TAYLOR - - July
F. H. KALES (temporary) - Nov.
SECRETARIES
July
Name
DAT. C
r Election
Expiration of
E. S. TAYLOR
- April
16, 1872
April 24
GEO. W. WEBER
April
24, 1893
April 28
I. J. BRYAN -
■ June
16, 1897
TREASURERS
JOHN B. TURNER
A. H. BURLEY
S. M. N1CKERSON
LYMAN J. GAGE -
A. C. HES1NG -
Feb. 8, 1870
Feb.
26,
1871
April 29, 187 1
Nov.
28,
1S71
Nov. 28, 1 87 1
June
1,
S73
June 1, 1873
Feb.
24,
1S74
Feb. 24, 1874
Apri
1876
JOHN DeKOVEN
C. J. BLAIR -
A. L. DeWAR -
ROBERT M. ORR
H. A. HAUGAN
April n, iS 7 (
May 22, 1883
April 1, 1893
Mar. 1 8, 1895
April 6, 189S
May 22, 1883
March 31, 189
March iS, 189
April 6, 1S9S
SUPERINTENDENTS
A. H. BURLEY
E. S. TAYLOR
O. BENSON
E. S. TAYLOR
H. J. Df.VRY
April 1, 1883
March 30, 1883
Feb. 1887
W. P. WALKER -
J. A. PETT1GREW -
H. C. ALEXANDER
CHAS. W. ANDREWS
PAUL RED1ESKE
April
1, 1887
April
1, 1889
April
1, 1S89
Max-
,1, 1894
June
, 1S94
April
3°, iS97
June
16, 1S97
Dec.
r4, 1S98
THE HISTORY
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
t TINCOLN PARK as it is to-day bears little witness on its fair and
J j smiling face of the slow and arduous steps, through a long period
of years, by which its present beauty and its present extent have been
reached. The Lincoln Park of 1S99, lying mainly between North
Avenue and Diversey Avenue, has within those limits a water front of
over a mile and a half along the shore of Lake Michigan, and an area
of about three hundred acres, all of which is improved in lawns, flower
parterres, trees, shrubbery, drives, walks, water surfaces, or buildings,
except the narrow half-mile strip of five and one-half acres of sand
beach between Fullerton and Diversey avenues. Doubtless the thou-
sands of children who enjoy the bathing facilities the beach affords in
summer would wish no improvement of this strip of sand, which may
serve another valuable purpose in illustrating the difficulties under
which the makers of Lincoln Park have always had to labor. Almost
the entire surface of the Park was made up originally of sand dunes
as barren as the bare sand of the present beach.
Including its small parks and its nine miles of boulevards, which
form a part of the Lincoln Park system, there is a splendid water
front of four and a half miles and an area of 409 acres. Among the
boulevards are three which were constructed by the Commissioners:
the Lake Shore Drive from North Avenue to Oak Street, 200 feet
wide, three-quarters of a mile long, and seventeen acres in extent,
opened in 1875 as a part of the Park ; the North Shore Drive, from
Belmont Avenue to Byron Street, a distance of nearly a mile, practi-
cally complete and used by the public; and the Ohio Street Extension
of the Lake Shore Drive, from Oak Street to Indiana Street, a distance
of three-quarters of a mile, which, though not yet opened to the pub-
lic, is nearing completion.
Under the same control and a part of the Lincoln Park system are
Union Square on Astor and Goethe streets, a block west of the Lake
Shore Drive, with an area of half an acre, and Chicago Avenue Park,
lying east of the city water-works property between Pearson Street
and Chicago Avenue, with an area of 9.16 acres, the improvement of
which as a park has but just begun.
Besides this visible part of the Lincoln Park system, it has an invisi-
ble but invaluable and not intangible asset in the ownership of all the
submerged lands from the shore line to the point of navigable water
along the entire lake front in the towns of North Chicago and Lake
View, from the Chicago River to Devon Avenue, a distance of nine
miles, with an average width of [,200 feet. The ownership of these
submerged lands, hundreds of acres in extent, has been vested by the
State in the Commissioners of Lincoln Park in trust for the people of
the two towns for park purposes; and after a series of legal contests
with private shore-owners who insisted on their alleged rights to build
piers into the lake and usurp the accretions thereby made to their
land, the right of the Commissioners to all land submerged or not
submerged east of the shore line as it existed when they took' formal
possession, according to the act of the Legislature, has been main-
tained by the highest court in the State.
The government of Lincoln Park is vested in a Commission
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate, which
Commission has exclusive control, subject only to the State, within the
boundaries of the park system, with the exception only that in cases
where city streets have been surrendered to the Commissioners for
park boulevards the city has usually reserved the right to alter, repair,
or extend its water and sewerage systems.
14
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Lincoln Park is supported by taxation on the two towns of North
Chicago and Lake View, which comprise the Lincoln Park district,
extending from the Chicago River on the south to Devon Avenue on
the north, and from the North Branch of the Chicago River to. the
lake on the east, with Fullerton Avenue the dividing line. For the
means, however, to maintain the Park, the Commissioners are depend-
ent upon the town supervisors, who annually fix the amount to be
raised by taxation from each town.
Bonds of the town of North Chicago have from time to time been
issued by the Commissioners, and special assessments levied against all
or part of the property in the two towns, but only by express acts
of the Legislature and with the consent and assistance of the corpo-
rate elected authorities of the towns.
Lincoln Park is the oldest of the splendid chain of parks which,
linked together by broad boulevards, surround and crown the imperial
city of Chicago as with a diadem of matchless pearls, and its history
is also the most unique and interesting. Its foundations were laid as
far back in the past as those of Chicago itself, and a large part of its
territory has always been public domain, belonging to the general
government from the Revolution, and ceded by Congress to the State
of Illinois in 1828 as part of the immense grant of 282,000 acres of
public lands made to aid in the construction of the Illinois and
Michigan Canal. On February 10, 1837, the Legislature of Illinois
passed an act granting the inhabitants of the town of North Chicago
the right to use a lot of canal land situated near said town for a burial-
ground, to be paid for at a valuation to be determined whenever the
State should decide to sell canal lands in the vicinity of Chicago.
Under this act, the city of Chicago, which was incorporated a few
months later, the charter election being held the first Tuesday in May,
took possession of the land bounded by Asylum Place, now Webster
Avenue, Lake Michigan, North Avenue, La Salle Avenue, North Clark
Street, and Franklin Street, now North Park Avenue, except the two
pieces known later as the Farwell and Milliman tracts, and one four-
acre parcel, and laid out into cemetery lots all of such land east of
Clark Street to the line of State Street extended to the lake, and south
of Menomonee Street produced to the lake. The title to the land
was acquired by the city in 1842, by patent from the State of Illinois,
for the sum of 88, 000. The Milliman tract of over twelve acres, so
called from its original owner, Jacob Milliman, who bought it with a
few acres more, at canal sale in 1843, Ior £725, was bought by the city
at administrator's sale in 1847 f° r 82,500. But through a defect in the
court proceedings confirming the sale, the heirs of Milliman succeeded
in securing possession of the property by a decision of the State
Supreme Court in 1865, and the Park Commissioners, in 1875, na ^ to
pay $138,000 for seven acres of the tract. The four-acre parcel
shown in the map on page 16 was afterward bought by the city foi
Si, 000.
In 1852, when the cholera epidemic was at its height, and there
seemed no relief in sight for the terror-stricken city, the Common
Council purchased three large tracts of land outside the city, to be
used as hospital grounds and quarantine stations. One of these dis-
tricts was the tract of land bounded by Diversey Avenue, Lake Mich-
igan, Fullerton Avenue extended, and what is now the west line of
Lake View Avenue. There were fifty-nine acres in the tract, for
which the city paid 88,851.50. The cholera epidemic subsided soon
afterward, and little if any use was made of the property for the pur-
poses for which it was bought, and until it became a part of Lincoln
Park in 1869, it remained a barren waste of sand and swamp.
In 1855 there still remained unsold in that part of the city prop-
erty north of North Avenue, which had been subdivided as a cemetery,
553 burial lots. By 1858, however, the city had grown out and
around the cemetery, and protests began to be made by citizens
of North Chicago and by physicians against further interments
there. On March 20, 1859, the City Council passed an ordinance
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
PARK
'H EMDHauft:
directing that the sale of lots in the City Cemetery should cease after
May i, 1859. On January 10, i860, a committee of North Chicago
citizens presented a petition to the Common Council, proposing the
use of the sixty-acre tract between Menomonee Street extended and
Webster Avenue for park purposes, and the Council, by orders passed
February 13, i860, limited the cemetery to that part then surveyed
and subdivided, prohibited burials in the north sixty acres, and
reserved them to be used for a public park, or for such public purposes
as the Common Council might devote them.
At that time the cemetery was still practically confined to the
small corner of the tract south of Menomonee Street and west of the
line of Dearborn Avenue. All of the land to the east of the cemetery
and northward from it to Diversey Avenue presented the same general
features. Along the lake there was a wide beach of sand, the shore
line of which shifted with every storm. From the lake westward,
there were alternate ridges of sand and swales of lower ground, which
retained enough moisture to encourage some straggling vegetation.
Poison ivy grew rank over a great part of the tract, while there were
occasional clumps of willows and scrub oaks. Through the western
part of the tract ran the "Lake Shore Ditch," a channel better known
as the "Ten-Mile Ditch," which had been dug between 1850 and 1855
by the Cook County Drainage Commissioners to drain the lowlands
near the lake from Evanston south. It emptied into the lake about
opposite Center Street, and the current was so slight that it was usually
full of stagnant water. It ran along the western side of the present
Park; and whatever good results it may have accomplished in draining
territory farther north, that part of the present Park north of Fullerton
Avenue and west of the line of the Stockton Drive was little better
than a swamp. East of the Stockton Drive was a sweep of sand so
barren that not even poison ivy could find an)' nourishment there.
The first annual report of the Board of Commissioners of Public
Works, issued in 1862, for the year beginning April I, 1861, after
i8
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
reciting the improvement of the cemetery proper by filling the road-
ways with clay and covering them with gravel, to make good carriage
drives, planting trees along the roads, sodding, repairing the fence
around the grounds, and erecting a small fountain at the entrance,
makes the first published official reference to "the Park" lying north
of the cemetery proper, which is described in terms more glowing than
other contemporary reports would warrant, as "some fort)- acres of
public grounds of diversified surface bordering on the lake, covered
with a young growth of wood, and affording the city the promise of
an attractive park at small expense." In this year trees were thinned
out and trimmed, some work done on the grounds, and several small
bridges thrown across the count)' ditch. The improvements must have
been even less extensive in fact than in their appearance from this
description, as the total expenditure for the year on cemetery and Park,
and all public squares, was only §3,005.90. In the following year the
only work reported on the " forty-acre tract " was that of trimming
trees, but the Board promoted its extent to fifty acres, recommended a
liberal provision for laying out and improving the grounds, and urged
that a regular plan be adopted for ornamenting the grounds, and for
drives and walks connecting with the cemetery and connecting streets,
and that an annual appropriation be made to carry it out. With the
report the Board submitted a map of the ground, which is reproduced
on page 16. The recommendations of the Board did not bring forth
immediate fruit, for in the two following years the appropriation for
the cemetery and Park and all public squares in the citv was less than
a thousand dollars, "hardly enough to pay the hire of a gate-keeper,
and not enough to keep the cattle out of the Park."
The North Side advocates of a park kept up their efforts, however,
and early in 1864 William C. Goudy, who was later and for many years
to be connected with Lincoln Park in an official capacity, prepared an
ordinance appropriating all the land lying between Webster Avenue
and the land subdivided into cemetery lots for a public park, and
providing that the land owned by the city between Clark Street, La
Salle Street and North Avenue should be sold, and the proceeds
applied for the improvement of the proposed park. The Common
Council passed this ordinance October 21, 1864, after striking out the
provision authorizing the sale of any land, but made no appropriation
for the improvement of the land thus set apart for a park, and for
another year no steps were taken toward that end. In this ordinance
it was declared that the public park thus set apart should be known
by the name of "Lake Park." In this year the Council, by ordinance,
prohibited the further sale of cemetery lots, and in 1866 burials were
prohibited.
On June 5, 1865, the following resolution was passed by the Com-
mon Council of Chicago:
" Whereas, It appears hy the records of the City of Chicago, that there are now
two public parks designated by the name of Lake Park; therefore
" Resolved, That the park recently set apart from the unoccupied portion of the
old cemetery grounds shall be hereafter known and designated as Lincoln Park."
The giving of this honored name to the embryo Park seemed to
produce the desirable effect of unloosening the city's purse-strings,
for at the same time, through the efforts of Alderman Lawrence
Proudfoot, orders were passed enforcing the prohibition against burials
in Lincoln Park, and appropriating $10,000 for its improvement.
Soon afterward a plan for the improvement of the Park, prepared
by Swain Nelson, landscape gardener, was adopted, and the contract
for the work given to him. The plan provided for excavations for
three small lakes along the line of the "Ten-Mile Ditch," the building
of even smaller hills with the sand from the excavations, laying out
drives and walks, planting trees, draining low land, and making lawns.
The work was not begun until late in the season, and the report for
the year ending March 31, 1866, gives the total expenditures as
follows:
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
LINCOLN PARK.
Swain Nelson, on account improvement S3.7°443
„ . _ 277-05
Engineer ~~ ,
Sidewalk, 7 y- feet.-- ^
pia ?- :::: g .. 00
Rodman ... "
Advertismg ... ^
Labor "'
, r , 20.00
Tools .
S4.54o.o5
Work was continued on those lines in the following year, and in
1867 the work on the lakes was finished, eight temporary bridges con-
structed, and the Park so far completed that it was a place of public
resort.
While this work was progressing, the ideas of citizens ot the North
Side as to the kind of a park to which they were entitled grew apace,
and finding the city authorities backward, they appealed to the Legis-
lature of the State. That body had, in acts passed in 1851, 1857,
and 1863, given the City of Chicago certain powers as to public parks,
and by an act amending the charter of the City of Chicago, approved
March 9 1867, all of the land owned by the city north of Pullerton
Avenue and east of the present west line of Lake View Avenue was
added to Lincoln Park, and authority was given to acquire by pur-
chase, gift, or condemnation a strip of land not exceeding three
hundred" feet in width, lying between said land and said Park. No
action, however, was taken in pursuance of this authority by the city,
which was content to carry on the improvements already under way.
The city reports show that over 820,000 was expended in 1868,
principally for the construction of drives and walks, planting and
transplanting trees, digging sewers, and building seats. A flagstaff
was erected on the artificial mound west of the southernmost of the
trio of small lakes, and the starry flag still floats from a staff planted
in the same spot. Music-stands were erected, concerts were given
"through private liberality," and a beginning was made for the present
large collection of animals and birds by the donation to the city, by
Mr. O. B. Green, of two pairs of swans from Central Park, New York,
which were placed on the Park ponds.
But the advocates of a more extended park were not satisfied with
the work being done by the city, and became convinced the only way
to carry out their ideas was to secure the establishment of a Park
Commission, with distinct and exclusive authority. A similar agitation
was being made on the South and West Sides, and by joint action at
the leo-islative session of 1869, acts were passed establishing the three
Park Commissions. The Lincoln Park act was the first to pass, being
approved February 8, 1869. It was entitled "An Act to fix the
Boundaries of Lincoln Park in the City of Chicago, and provide for its
Improvement," and fixed the south, west, and north boundaries of the
Park as they exist to-day, and the shore of Lake Michigan at low-
water mark, ""as the same now is or hereafter may be," as the boun-
daries of a public park, to be known as Lincoln Park, and declared
that all the land included therein should be deemed to have been
taken by the City of Chicago for public use and for a public park.
The act" provided that all said land then belonging to the city should
be appropriated for the Park without any compensation to the city;
that title to the rest of the land might be acquired by the city by
purchase or condemnation; that the Board of Commissioners of Lin-
coln Park thereinafter created might purchase any of the land at fair
and reasonable prices, to be determined by them and paid out of
bonds or money coming to their hands, and the same be conveyed to
and vest in the city; that appraisers should be appointed to fix the
value of the land to be taken, and that the Circuit Court should con-
demn the land. For the purpose of paying for the land, the act
provided that the bonds of the City of Chicago should be issued from
time to time by the Mayor, Comptroller, and Clerk of sa.d city, as
required by the Board of Park Commissioners, payable in twenty
OEARSORN ST.
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A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
years, at the rate of seven per cent per annum. Owners of cemetery
lots to be condemned bv the Commissioners were ordered to remove
any bodies therein within six months after condemnation, the Com-
missioners to have power to make such removals thereafter. The act
provided that the appraisers should also, as a part of Lincoln Park,
lay out a drive 200 feet wide, with the waters of Lake Michigan as its
east line, from Pine Street, whose northern terminus was then at Oak
Street, to the south line of the Park, and make a special assessment to
pay for the land taken therefor. The act provided that Lincoln
Park should be under the exclusive control and management of a
Board of five Commissioners, to be named and styled "The Commis-
sioners of Lincoln Park," and named E. B. McCagg, John B. Turner,
Andrew Nelson, Joseph Stockton, and Jacob Rehm as such Commis-
sioners, who were to hold office for five years, their successors to be
appointed by the Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The
said Board was to have full and exclusive power to govern, manage,
and direct the Park, appoint all officers necessary, except a police
force, and generally to possess all the power and authority conferred
on or possessed by the Common Council in respect to public squares.
They were, on or before the first day of October in each year, to fix
upon the amount, not exceeding $75,000, that might be necessary for
the improvement and repair of the Park and drive during the next
succeeding year, and such amount was to be apportioned by the Clerk
of the County Court of . Cook County upon taxable property of the
towns of North Chicago and Lake View, and included in the warrant
for the collection of taxes. The Commissioners were directed to lay
out a street north from Fullerton Avenue to Diversey, along the west
line of the Park, and to make a detailed statement of their receipts
and expenditures to the Common Council of said city in the month
of April in every year. The Commissioners were empowered to take
possession of all buildings and grounds attached thereto belonging
to the city within the limits of said Park, and rent them, use them, or
sell them for the benefit of the Park.
Several amendments to the act were adopted at the same ses-
sion, shortly after its passage. On March 4, 1869, the provision for
a street on the west line of the Park north from Fullerton Avenue
was repealed. On March 30, 1869, an amendment was adopted,
providing for the purchase or condemnation of the land designated as
"The Triangle" on the map on page 41, north of Fullerton Avenue
and south of Diversey Avenue, between the Park and a line 500 feet
east of Green Bay Road, the tract amounting to 22 14 acres. The
Commissioners were also to change the direction of Franklin Street
to include in Lincoln Park the small triangle between Fullerton
Avenue and Franklin Street, east of the Lake Shore Ditch. The same
amendment limited the amount of bonds which might be issued by
the Common Council of the City of Chicago for the benefit of Lincoln
Park to $500,000. Another and important amendment, approved
April 19, 1869, repealed the section conferring the taxing power upon
the Commissioners, and provided that they should certify to the
Supervisors of the towns of North Chicago and Lake View, on or
before the first day of October in each year, the amount of money
needed to pay any debt contracted by them which might fall due
during the next year, and for the maintenance and government of
Lincoln Park during the next succeeding year, and that the Super-
visors should fix upon and determine the amount of taxes necessary
for the purpose aforesaid.
The last amendment was considered advisable, on the theory that
only officials elected by the people had the power to levy taxes,
unless the Park Act were first submitted to the people of the two
towns for adoption, and this was not done. The South and West
Park acts were adopted by close votes, after bitter opposition, partic-
ularly by heavy tax-payers, and it was deemed unwise to submit the
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Lincoln Park Act to a popular
vote until after time should
prove its popularity.
By this time the territory
from which it was proposed to
create a park, except the small
tract under improvement by
the city, seemed even less sus-
ceptible of such treatment than
it had been in 1 860.
The cemetery had extended
farther east, and the bodies of
a thousand Confederate sol-
diers, who had died in Chicago
prisons, had been interred on
what is now a part of the base-
ball grounds. There was a
dead-house or morgue near
North Avenue, immediately
east of Dearborn Avenue, and
a smallpox hospital a few hun-
dred feet farther north. A
board fence eight feet high
had been built around the
cemetery. West of the line
of State Street extended north,
which was the eastern boun-
dary of the cemetery property,
la)' a narrow triangle of sand,
with a base of 400 feet on
North Avenue and disappear-
ing at a point 1,500 feet
north. This tract, which had for years covered about four acres,
had been bought by John V. Farwell in 1866, for £8,000. Not
many years before it had sold for Si, 000. About the time of the
adoption of the Park Act, Mr. Farwell built a pier running out into
the lake at North Avenue, with a spur extending a few hundred
feet north from its eastern end. Ground was leased on North
Avenue east of State Street for commercial purposes, and an axle-
grease factory and a stone-mill were soon in busy operation. Lake
Michigan was still busier throwing up sand in the protected nook-
prepared by the pier, and the acreage increased so rapidly that by
1872 Mr. Farwell had nineteen acres instead of four to dispose of
for park purposes. Before the erection of this pier, the shore line from
North Avenue to Diversey Avenue had been a shifting line of sand,
accretions slowly forming during mild weather, to be washed out into
the lake again by the first severe storm. Between Webster Avenue and
Fullerton Avenue the land had been leased for nurseries and market
gardens, and it was not abandoned for that use until 1875, when the
Commissioners took possession. North of Fullerton Avenue the city
property was used for a dumping-ground. The "Ten-Mile Ditch"
was, as a rule, full of stagnant water and badly in need of drainage
itself, though it furnished frog-fishing in summer and skating in winter
for the youth of the day. There was hardly enough fertile soil on
the whole two hundred acres for twenty acres of lawn. The sand
ridges shifted more or less with every wind that blew, and there was
little about the site to recommend it for park purposes except the
beauty of the lake.
It was the evident intent of the original act that Lincoln Park
should be a city park, under the police control of the City of Chicago,
and its lands bought and owned by the city, its improvement and
maintenance to be a charge upon the towns of North Chicago and
Lake View. The Commissioners named in the act organized March
16, following, at a meeting held at the house of E. B. McCagg, who was
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
elected president. Resolutions were passed accept-
ing the offices of Commissioners, authorizing prelim-
inary surveys, inviting plans for the improvement of
the Park, and appointing VV. C. Goudy as counsel.
From that time to July I, 1873, a period of over four
years, there were two separate governments in Lincoln
Park, side by side. The city continued to take care
of the improved part of the Park, lying between Wis-
consin Street and Webster Avenue, while the Park
Commissioners, as soon as funds were secured, took
charge of the cemetery on the south and the unim-
proved city property north of Fullerton Avenue, took
the steps necessary to secure the property within the
Park boundaries owned by private individuals, built a
drive along the lake shore, began the fight, kept up
with little cessation since that date, to protect the
shore line against the stress of storms and push it
farther out into the lake, and in other ways began the
work of building up a park from a barren waste. That
work was delaj^ed for a twelvemonth, however. While
one of the first acts of the Commissioners was to
secure surveys and plans for park improvements,
litigation, rather than landscape gardening, was to
occupy their attention for the first year. At the
second meeting of the Commissioners, held April 9,
1869, their attorney was instructed to apply to the
Circuit Court for the appointment of three appraisers,
as provided by the Park Act, to appraise the lands
to be purchased to complete the Park, and at the
next meeting, held May 1, the President was author-
ized to make a demand on the Mayor of Chicago to
issue the bonds of the city for the amount necessary
26
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
to purchase such lands. The application was made to Mayor
Rice, and it is possible it might have been granted if it had not
been for the sentiment apparent in other sections of the city that
the North Side, in securing 165.89 acres of city property for a park,
without cost, was already getting too much from the city, at the
expense of other sections. The Corporation Counsel, doubtless a loyal
North Sider, advised the Mayor that the law was constitutional, and
that it was obligatory upon him to issue the bonds. But Mayor Rice
declined to issue them on his own responsibility, and referred the
matter to the Council. That body deferred action, and at once
requests and demands were made by the newly organized South Park
Board and West Park Board, for the issuing of bonds for their benefit
to an amount equal to whatever bond issues might be made for Lin-
coln Park, and in addition, for further amounts equal to the sums
already laid out by the city in the improvement of the original Lin-
coln Park, then about 860,000. Whether or not these applications
affected the decision of the Council does not appear in the newspaper
records of their proceedings, but the Council passed an order directing
the Mayor to refuse to issue any city bonds for the benefit of Lincoln
Park, and he obeyed the order. Then the Lincoln Park Commis-
sioners entered upon the first of numerous lawsuits in which thev
have been involved in sustaining or determining their rights and pow-
ers, a petition to the Supreme Court of the State for a writ of
mandamus to compel the city authorities to issue the bonds. The
Supreme Court, in October, refused the writ, on the ground that the
Legislature had no power to compel the Ctiy of Chicago to issue
bonds without its consent.
Deprived of the means of purchasing land until new legislation
could be obtained, and without means to carry on improvements, the
Commissioners held but one more meeting that year, on September
28, when the}' made the first annual estimate of the amount needed
to pa}' debts and run the Park for the succeeding year, fixing it at
$60,000. The estimate was certified to the Supervisors of North
Chicago and Lake View, who made a levy of 5^ mills on the dollar,
for each town, the tax being extended as follows: Lake View,
83,058.53; North Chicago, 859, 088.17; total, 862,146.70.
On February 8, 1870, John B. Turner was elected treasurer, and
812,756.47, the first collection of taxes, was turned into the brand-
new and altogether empty treasury of Lincoln Park on April 4. The
first expenditure of the Commissioners was the payment of 81,892.14
to President E. B. McCagg, May 10, 1870, for money advanced by
him in the preceding year for the following objects, as shown by
Lincoln Park voucher No. 1 :
A. Silvefsparre, survey and map of Lincoln Park $800 00
A. Wolcott, survey of Milliman tract qo 00
F. H. Bailey, maps of Lake Shore Drive _ 110 00
Beach & Bernard, printing account of incorporation 61 50
A. K. Williams, Clerk Supreme Court, for costs, case 63,
Mandamus v. Mayor 103 00
Beach & Bernard, printing 250 copies of Park laws 32 00
Revenue stamp 1 25
Engraving bonds 150 00
E. S. Salomon, extending tax levy 431 q8
Interest to McCagg on above 128 11
$1,892 14
With money in their treasury, the Commissioners proceeded to
business, and at their meeting of May 10, 1870, ordered the construc-
tion of a temporary road, the Lake Shore Drive, along the lake from
the improved part of the Park to Diversey Avenue, provided that a
right of way could be secured over the Newberry and Foster property.
Such right of way was secured in July by condemnation proceedings,
and work was begun at once. A clay and gravel roadway 40 feet
wide was constructed from a point 600 feet south of Asylum Place
northward to Diversey Avenue, at a cost of 817,280.60. The first
600 feet of the roadway was opened to the public September 30, and
it was all completed December 30. In 187 1 the drive was extended
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
i, 800 feet south, to a point near where the electric fountain now stands,
at a cost of 86,605. 70, and a week later work was begun on another
contract for widening the entire drive 20 feet. This was completed
September 29, the total cost of the drive amounting to $32,769.66.
Almost before the work of making the shore drive began, it
became evident steps must be taken to keep the lake from washing it
away. At the meeting of July 23, 1870, the Commissioners elected
E. S. Taylor (who had been instrumental as a member of the Legisla-
ture in securing the passage of the Park Act) Secretary, and A. H.
Burley, Superintendent. A week later the Superintendent was
instructed to build a pier to preserve the shore, and on August 2 a con-
tract was made for launching a pier 65 feet long at a point 600 feet
south of Diversey Avenue. Other piers were constructed at different
points along the shore, the idea being that land would form
between them, both protecting the drive and enlarging the area of the
Park. How the plan resulted, and what efforts were made subse-
quently by many different plans to protect the shore, down to the
present time, is so large and complicated a subject, that it demands
separate treatment.
In September, 1870, the long task of transforming the cemetery
into a park was begun by tearing down the dead-house, or morgue,
and the smallpox hospital, under permission of the Board of Public
Works.
On October 10, 1870, the Commissioners arrived at the dignity of
an office, renting a room at 63 North Clark Street for S30 a month,
and on November 4. 1S70, the first order was given by the Board
for planting trees in the Park, the first purchase being for the orna-
mentation of the Lake Shore Drive.
Early in December the fence around the old cemetery tract was
removed, and part of it re-erected along the drive in front of the
Foster and Newberry tracts, and along the east line of the cemetery,
separating it from the Farwell tract. In this month the Board began
to consider ways and means to secure a water supply for sprinkling
drives and lawns, and on January 21 a contract was let for sinking
the north artesian well. In June following, at a depth of 1,540 feet, a
flow of 332,352 gallons daily was secured. A tank was built 20 feet
above the ground, and wooden pipes laid from it to the Lake Shore
Drive to furnish water for sprinkling. For a number of years all the
water used in the Park was that supplied by two artesian wells.
During the fall and winter of 1870 thousands of loads of manure
were bought for enriching the sandy soil of the Park and making
lawns. For many years the annual expenditure on that account was
a considerable item.
On November 12 an order was passed to prohibit fast driving on
the Lake Shore Drive, but it was evidently unpopular, and was
rescinded two weeks later.
Commissioner John B.Turner died February 24, 1871. During
his service of ten months as Treasurer, he had paid interest on the
Park funds to the amount of $912.05. The custom of obtaining inter-
est on Park funds died with Mr. Turner, and was not resurrected until
early in the term of the present Board, in July, 1897.
The Commissioners, in their first report to the Common Council,
submitted in April, 1871, showed receipts to April 1 of $59,871.74,
of which $58,595.69 was on account of the tax of 1869, and expendi-
tures of $44,588.05. The report says in part:
"The Commissioners, assuming no control of the Park as at present improved,
but leaving its management and the expenditures of all moneys appropriated by your
honorable body to the Board of Public Works, have devoted their attention to the
protection of the shore, to the construction of a drive bordering the lake, and to pre-
paring for ultimate permanent improvement the grounds embraced within the limits
of the Park."
The first practical step in the life of the Commission toward the
enlargement of the Park was taken by the Common Council, though
apparently with no such intention. That body, in October, 1870,
Bptl
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
passed an order authorizing the exchange of city property in another
part of Chicago for lots M, N, O, D, and E, in the Milliman tract
(shown in the map on page 41). The Council indicated its disposition
toward the Commission, and its belief that the North Side had had
its share of city property, by adopting the following order:
"Ordered, That the above-named tract of 5.32 acres (more or less) shall not be
improved and used by the Commissioners of Lincoln Park for park purposes until
they shall pay into the general fund of the City of Chicago the sum of $60,000, to be
divided as the Common Council may direct among the several parks of the South
and West Divisions of the city."
This order failed of effect for some reason, as the Commissioners,
a year or two later, took possession of the tract named without mak-
ing any payment therefor, and all the 171.21 acres of city property
passed to the control of the Park Commission without cost, except
that involved in the purchase of titles for cemetery lots and the cost
of removing remains to other cemeteries, amounting in all to $19,-
494.19.
Early in 1S71 an opportunity was offered to secure another part
of the Milliman tract at an advantageous figure, David Milliman offer-
ing lots A, C, H, and I, about 3 acres, for $45,000. The Commis-
sioners had no funds for such a purpose, and pending further action
by the Legislature, there was no certainty that they ever would have.
In order not to sacrifice the opportunity, Commissioners McCagg,
Stockton, Rehm, and Turner gave their individual notes for the
amount, and bought the land in trust for Lincoln Park.
With the convening of the General Assembly in 1871, steps were
taken by the Commissioners and the friends of a greater Lincoln Park
to secure such amendments of the original act as would provide for
raising money to buy the lands within the park limits not owned by
the city. On June 16, 1871, an act was passed in regard to the com-
pletion of public parks and the management thereof, which, while not
referring by name to Lincoln Park, in fact referred to it solely. The
act provided that where lands within specified boundaries had been
declared to be a public park or for the enlargement of a public park,
and provisions were made for acquiring the title thereto by issuing
bonds, but there was no valid provision of law for the issuing of said
bonds, the Board of Commissioners might purchase any of said lands
at fair and reasonable prices, to be determined by agreement with the
owners, or that any of said lands might be condemned by the Super-
visors and Assessors, corporate authorities of the towns in which the
park was situated, and the Commissioners of the Park, by and with
the consent in writing of said corporate authorities, were empowered
to institute proceedings in a court of record to assess the damages and
fix the amounts to be paid for said lands. A special assessment was
to be made "by the Supervisors and Assessors, corporate authorities
of the towns," on all the lands and lots within the towns benefited by
the proposed park improvement, payable in twenty equal annual
installments, the assessment to be confirmed in the Circuit Court.
The Supervisor and Assessor of each of said towns were empowered
to authorize the Park Commissioners to issue bonds for the purpose of
paying for lands to be purchased or condemned, the property of the
towns, the lands to be used for the Park, and the special assessment
to be pledged for the redemption of the bonds, which were to beat-
interest at the rate of seven per cent, payable annually, and running
for any time not exceeding twenty years, the time for the payment
of the principal to be distributed as nearly as practicable so as to
retire each year an amount equal to the amount of the special assess-
ment collected. The act provided that the title to the lands when
purchased or condemned should vest in the Park Commissioners in
trust for the use of the towns; but if at any time the city in which was
vested the title to the lands already appropriated for the park should
reimburse the towns, principal and interest, for the cost of the lands,
the title should be conveyed to and vest in the city. The act pro-
vided that the Park Commissioners might appoint and support a
teBftftftflMtl
Grant TIo/sumemt.
PPTO
32
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
police force, a right not given in the original act; that the legal pro-
ceedings for the condemnation of land for the Lake Shore Drive
should be the same as those laid down for condemning land for park
purposes ; that in all cases where the commissioners of any park had
been named in the act establishing the same, the Governor should
nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate appoint, the
commissioners of such park, who should hold office for the term of
five years, all vacancies to be filled in the same manner; and that the
commissioners should in April of each year submit to the mayor of
the city, or president of the board of trustees of the town in which
the park or portion thereof might be located, a detailed statement of
the amount of moneys expended on account of the park.
Before action was taken under the new law, the Commissioners
made a bargain for another tract of land for park purposes without
waiting for official authority. With the sanction of the Board, its
President, Belden F. Culver, on May 12, 1872, after some dickering
with John V. Farwell, bought from him in his own name, but in
trust for the Commissioners of Lincoln Park, the tract of 19 acres
of sand at the southeast corner of the Park, known as fractional section
34, township 40, range 14, etc., for $100,000, a little over $5,000 an
acre. While the price was lower than that paid for other lands in the
Park, the investment seemed not unprofitable for the devisor, as he
had paid $8,000 for the same land in 1866, when only four acres of it
was above water. The remarkable increase in acreage shows the value
of a well-constructed pier for making land cheaply.
On June 25, 1872, the Commissioners passed the necessary resolu-
tions calling upon the Supervisors and Assessors of North Chicago
and Lake View to issue bonds and levy a special assessment for the
purchase of lands. On September 19, 1872, the Supervisors and
Assessors, acting together, authorized issues of town bonds as follows:
Lake View, $48,000; North Chicago, $348,700; total, $396,700, — being
five per cent of the tax valuations of the two towns.
They estimated the damage done to owners of real estate to be
taken for the Park in the two towns thus:
North Chicago, $862,500; Lake View, $337,500. Total, $1,200,-
000.
The million and a fifth was to be raised in the two towns by a
special assessment, distributed as follows:
North Chicago, $709,070.27; Lake View, $490,929.73. The tax-
able property in North Chicago was $6,968,349, and that in Lake
View $968,278, while the population in North Chicago in 1870 was
71,551, and that of Lake View 1,841. This made the proposed assess-
ment for Lake View over half the total valuation of property in the
town, while the land to be purchased in Lake View was 22}^ acres,
against 59 acres in North Chicago. The assessment was confirmed in
the lower court in April, 1873, but the Supreme Court, in November,
again interfered with the plans of the Commissioners by declaring the
assessment invalid because the officials of the two towns had no right
to act jointly, those of one town having no right to assess property
in another town, and for the further reason that the assessment was
apportioned inequitably.
The Commissioners were again left without means, or the immedi-
ate prospect of securing means, to buy lands for Park purposes. The
conditions were discouraging, but the General Assembly was to meet
again the first of the following year, and the campaign for securing
the additional legislation necessary was begun at once. The owners
of property within the park limits were as uneasy as the Commission-
ers over the uncertainties of the situation. The executors of the
Newberry estate and the heirs of Dr. Foster threatened suits to regain
possession of that part of their property which had been appropriated
for the construction of the Lake Shore Drive, and to avoid any further
litigation the Commissioners adopted resolutions especially declaring
that they laid no claim of title to the land, but were using it on suffer-
ance merely. Some of the various owners of lots in the Milliman
34
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
tract thought it necessary to assert their ownership by building fences
around their lots, and in so doing they completely shut off the West
Drive through the old cemetery. These fences were not removed
until bargains had been made for the purchase of the property.
The General Assembly acted promptly, and on February 18, 1874,
again amended the Lincoln Park Act, the principal change in the law
being a provision for separate instead of joint action by the authori-
ties of the constituent towns of the Park district in levying the assess-
ment for the purchase of land, and for separate assessments. The
Commissioners also acted promptly, and on March 14, 1875, a reso-
lution was passed and certified to the authorities of Lake View, ask-
ing for the purchase of the "Triangle." But the opportunity for the
enlargement of Lincoln Park in that direction had passed. New
officials were in power, who were less friendly to the proposition to
levy a heavy tax for the purchase of the land, and on March I 5, 1875, a
year after they had been asked to authorize the necessary special
assessment and issue of bonds, they decided to refuse such consent.
The Supervisor and Assessor of Lake View had been empowered by
the Town Trustees to take such action in the matter as they should
deem necessary for the best interests of the tax-payers in the town.
The officers reported to the trustees on the above date the results of
a species of referendum they had adopted to enable them to make up
their minds. They had estimated the cost of the "Triangle" at
$259,912, spread an experimental assessment according to benefits,
and then endeavored to notify all property owners assessed, and get
their opinions on the proposed purchase. Eighty-eight owners,
assessed for $32,894, had expressed themselves in favor of the pur-
chase, and two hundred and twenty, assessed for $79,281, had opposed
it. The owners assessed for the other three-fifths of the amount did
not declare themselves, but the Assessor and Supervisor were of the
opinion that the majority of them in numbers and interest were
opposed to making the purchase, and therefore they had decided to
take no steps in that direction. The trustees approved the report,
and at once served notice on the Commissioners of their refusal to
issue bonds or levy a special assessment. While the tax on the thinly
settled territory of Lake View would doubtless have been heavy, the
refusal of the town officials to make the levy was unfortunate for the
best interests of the Park, and therefore of the citizens of the town,
for the land could not be purchased to-day for many times the sum
required then, and the barrier to the growth of the Park either west
or north raised by the prohibitive value of the land, a value given largely
by the proximity of the Park, may never be removed. It is hardly to
be denied that the entire cost of Lincoln Park, from its inception to
the present day, has been more than repaid to the tax-payers of the
two towns by the consequent increase in the value of property, to say
nothing of the inestimable aesthetic and hygienic advantages it has
provided.
A month after the adoption of the ill-fated resolution for the pur-
chase of the "Triangle," on April 14, 1875, application was made to
the Supervisor and Assessor of North Chicago for the necessary
action to secure the condemnation of all lands in the Park south of
Fullerton Avenue. In July a contract was made with Andrew Nelson
for the purchase of lot P in the Milliman tract for $19,980, "on con-
dition that the contract be void if the present park law is not sustained
by the Supreme Court." The Commissioners were hopeful of final
success, but their experience made them cautious. In August con-
tracts for the purchase of the land between Webster and Fullerton ave-
nues were authorized at a price not exceeding $18,000, on the same
condition, and on October 27 judgment was rendered in the condem-
nation cases against the property as follows: For the Foster tract, 14}4
acres, $287,680; for the Newberry tract, lyyi acres, $332,220. The
court decreed that the judgment should be paid on or before Novem-
ber 1, 1879, but that the Commissioners might at once take possession
of the property. In November consent was given by the author-
36
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
ities of North Chicago for an issue of the bonds of the town to the
amount of 8900,000, and on January 2, 1875, t ne first sale was made,
one hundred bonds of the face value of $100,000 bringing 891,000.
The proceeds were used to take up the note which had been given for
the purchase of the Farwell tract.
In March the Legislature again amended the Park Act to make the
interest on the bonds payable semi-annually, instead of annually, and
a new issue had to be printed.
The bonds did not find a ready sale, for the reason that the special
assessment was being contested in. the courts, and there was dan-
ger that it might in the end be defeated, and partly because of the
provision that fifty of the bonds, the numbers to be selected by lot,
should be retired every year, beginning in 1878. The bonds had
almost no sale in Chicago on those accounts, nearly all of them being
sent to New York. Some of the land-owners accepted bonds at 91
cents on the dollar in payment of their judgments, but others would
not take them even at that price. After 664 bonds had been sold in
1875 and 1876, nearly all of them in New York, at 91 and 92 per
cent, no sales were made for several years. Fifty bonds were
destroyed in November, 1877, and fifty more in December, 1878, the
Commissioners believing that their sale would not be necessary to
take care of the land judgments. In July, 1879, the remaining 136
bonds were sold in New York at par, accrued interest, and a premium
of $8,330, a change in the money market and increasing confidence in
the quality of the security offered accounting for the increased price.
In 1S75 and 1S76 judgments were rendered against the various
parcels in the Milliman tract, the Farwell tract, and most of the lots
in the old cemetery which had been sold by the city. The special
assessment for Si, 200, 000 authorized bv the town authorities to pur-
chase the Park lands and retire the bonds was completed in June,
1875, on tne basis of the benefits to be derived, the tax ranging from
S12 a foot on the most desirable lands fronting the Park to 25 cents
a foot on property in the southwest corner of the town.
The assessment was confirmed in the lower court in July, and the
decision was finally sustained by the Supreme Court on appeal by a
number of property owners, after prolonged litigation. Within a few
years the judgments against the Milliman and Foster tracts were satis-
fied, but the final payment for the Newberry tract was not made until
1894. Arrangements for the purchase of the Jewish Cemetery tract
were delayed for several years, because of inability to agree upon
terms, and in 1880 the trustees of the cemetery secured permission to
fence it in. It was not until October, 1S82, that an offer of $8,000
for the tract was made and accepted, and a note given for the pur-
chase price, which was paid in 1887.
With the payment of a long-standing balance of $25,000 due the
trustees of the Newberry estate in 1894, title was secured to all lands
in Lincoln Park, with the exception of some of the lots in the old city
cemetery. Titles to all of these lots have not yet been obtained, and
perhaps never will be. The last transaction in cemetery lands shown
in the Park records is the passage of an order on May 6, 1895, f° r " le
purchase of the Peacock vault lot for $1,000, but within the last year
several applications have been made for lots in other cemeteries in
exchange for lots in the old cemetery.
When, in 1866, the City Council finally determined to allow no
more burials in the old city cemetery, orders were passed to provide
for the purchase of lots of equal size in other cemeteries in exchange
for those which had been sold in the city cemetery. The city contin-
ued this arrangement when the Commissioners took possession of the
property, but to facilitate exchanges of lots and the quieting of titles
of private individuals to lots in Lincoln Park, the Commissioners paid
for the removal of monuments and remains, and were frequently
obliged to pay additional sums to secure deeds to land which they
38
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
wished to improve without delay. Some lot-owners held back for
prices which the Commissioners declined to pay, and others, having
no use for their lots, were in no hurry to exchange them for others
elsewhere. In recent years the demand has been so infrequent that
the city has made no appropriation for the purpose, and lot-owners
have been unable to arrange exchanges without delay.
There still remains in the southeastern corner of the Park a con-
spicuous monument of the former uses to which the land was put, the
old Couch burial vault. It was found that, because of the nature of
its construction, it would be impossible to remove the vault, except at
great expense, and the Commissioners preferred to allow it to remain
as a not uninteresting reminder of the Park's origin.
Directly across the Stockton Drive from the Couch vault lay the
Peacock lot, which was not purchased until 1895, because the price
demanded by the owner was considered excessive. The old stone
coping around this lot was not disturbed until over twenty years after
the grounds surrounding it had been improved as part of the Park.
In this immediate vicinity, almost hidden in the side of an artificial
ridge, is another vault, which has long been used as a storehouse
for the tools of Park employes.
The special assessment for the purchase of lands in Lincoln Park
did not suffice for the payment of interest on the bonds and the retire-
ment of the issue, and appropriations were made by the North Town
Supervisor in 189 1, 1892, 1893, and 1894 for that purpose, the last of
the bonds being redeemed and canceled in 1896.
The following statement shows the cost of the various tracts of
land which were bought to make up Lincoln Park, the cost of levying
the special assessment, the payments of interest, the cost of the
redemption of the land-purchase bonds, the legal expenses connected
with the condemnation of land, the issuing of bonds, and the spread-
ing of the assessment, and other incidental expenses:
STATEMENT OF LAND ACCOUNT.
DISBURSEMENTS.
Purchase of Farwell tract 19.00 acres . . Sioo.ooo.oo
Milliman tract 7.05 " 151,740.10
Foster lot 14.50 " 278,078.83
Newherrylot 17.50 " 332,220.00
Jewish Cemetery .89 " ' 8,000.00
$870,038.03
Total 58.94 acres.
Purchase of cemetery lots, cost of removals, etc. 19,494.19
Interest on bonds §7 17.305.04
Interest on deferred land payments. 180,320.06
Expenses of transfers of land
Cost of printing four sets of bonds $973.00
Commissions on sale of bonds 5,934.25
Sundry expenses on account of the sale of bonds 73344
Work of preparing assessments, printing blanks
and postal-card notices, etc.
Legal expenses
Bond redemption
Total disbursements
RECEIPTS.
From special assessments $1,319,627.80
Less loss from delinquents, double assessments,
certificates of sale, etc. 76,314.95
From sale of bonds $741,070.00
From premium on bonds 8,330.00
From accrued interest on bonds 10,831.22
Appropriated from general tax levy
Total receipts
Total disbursements on land account $2,637,940.70
Total receipts from bonds 760,231.22
Net cost to tax-payers in taxes and special assess-
ments $1,877,709.48
897,625.10
509.70
7,640.69
23.34143
19,290.66
800,000.00
$2,637,940.70
760,231.22
634,396.63
$2,637,940.70
-ON BR A *C \
40
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
It will be seen from this statement that 58.94 acres of land were
purchased for 8870,038.93, an average cost of §14,761. 43 per acre. But
the time of payment of this amount was extended over so long a pe-
riod of years, that with the payment of interest and other necessary
expenses, the total cost of the land to the tax-payers of North Chi-
cago was 81,858,21 5.29, or an average price of 831,527.23 per acre.
The remaining 171.21 acres of city property incorporated in Lincoln
Park by the original act of February 9, 1869, were set aside for Park-
uses, with no other expense to the tax-payers of the towns of North
Chicago and Lake View than the amount of the cemetery account,
819,494.19. If it had been necessary to purchase these lands from
private owners, it is extremely doubtful if Lincoln Park could ever
have been organized on so large a scale, — if, indeed, the first cost of the
purchase of land for park purposes so near the business center of the
city would not have discouraged the tax-payers of those days from
having an)' park at all.
It is certain, at least, that the foundations of Lincoln Park were
laid in 1837, with the grant to the town of North Chicago of state
lands for cemetery purposes, and in 1852, when under pressure of
the cholera panic the city bought the land north of Fullerton Avenue
for quarantine and hospital grounds.
While the proceedings for the condemnation and purchase of land
were under way, the Commissioners were also busily engaged in prose-
cuting the work of park-making in the territory under their control
with all the energy their funds and credit would permit. The com-
pletion of the artesian well and the Lake Shore Drive, and the pro-
tection of the lake shore, demanded the most attention. The great
change that has taken place in Chicago customs since that time is
shown by the fact that in April, 1871, a part of the work on the Lake
Shore Drive consisted of "watching cows." A charge of fifteen dol-
lars for that purpose was made by the contractors, and similar charges
recurred regularly during the summer months for a year or two. In
that sylvan period residents of North Chicago still kept cows, and
they pastured them during the day in the woods and fields north of
Diversey Avenue. As they were driven home at night the cows,
attracted by the greener browsing along the new drive, chose that
route homeward to the great dissatisfaction of the Commissioners and
their employes. The custom continued until the retaliatory practice
of impounding the cows until they were bought out of pawn com-
pelled the owners to take better care of them.
On July 29, 1871, the work of transforming the cemetery began with
the passage of an order for the payment of eight dollars each for the
removal of remains to other cemeteries, where the lots had been recon-
veyed to the city on condition of such removal being made. Similar
orders appear on the Park records in the next few years, and the work
was prosecuted industriously. In November, 1875, the city authorities
notified the Commissioners that no more exchanges of lots could be
made that year, as the appropriation for the purpose was exhausted.
Because of the destruction of all plats and surveys of the old cemetery
in the great fire, the task of removing to other cemeteries the remains
of those who were interred there was attended with great difficulties.
It was surmounted in the best way possible, that of retaining in the
employment of the Park for many years the old sexton of the city
cemetery, whose familiarity with the lots and the names of their
owners was so great and his memory so accurate that he was able to
locate any grave with little difficulty.
Later in the year a fence was built along the north line of the
Park at Diversey Avenue, and in November contracts were made for
grading, filling, and seeding the space between Diversey Avenue and
the drive. Many of the Park records and the first assessment roll for
the construction of the Pine Street Drive from North Avenue to Oak
Street were burned in the great fire, and on October 28, the first meet-
ing held by the Commissioners after the fire, all work was ordered
stopped on its account. On November 28 the new Board of Com-
EXPLANATION,
-CITY PROPERTY.
I V Wrimll PROPERTY PURCHASED BY THE
COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN
PRRK.
PROPERTY ORDERED INCLUDED
IN PRRK BY LINCOLN PRRK
ROT BUT NEUER PURCHASED.
and
BOUNDARIES OF
LINCOLN PARK,
ScuUHMft. ■ pin >*& |
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
missioners appointed by the Governor by virtue of the act of June 1 8
met, organized, and found the Park treasury at so low an ebb that it
seemed to them good reason for keeping the work stopped until the
April following. In April, 1872, the Commissioners found their credit
good enough to secure a loan of Si 0,000 for four months at eight per
cent interest. In May, as a part of the bargain for the Farwell tract,
they paid Si 2,000 for a tug, three scows, and a dredge, and agreed to
share for one year the expense of operating them in taking sand from
the lake to a pier in the Chicago River and exchanging it there for
clay. The clay was taken to the Park and stored in great piles, to
be used as occasion demanded in the construction of roads.
In July the city was asked to police the Park more effectively, and
in August, the city having failed to meet the wishes of the Board, the
Lincoln Park police force was organized, with one sergeant and three
officers. In May, 1873, the city ordinance limiting the speed on the
Lake Shore Drive to six miles an hour was suspended for Tuesday
and Friday afternoons, for the benefit of owners of fast horses, and in
the same month negotiations were entered into with the city to assume
the care and responsibility of the improved part of the Park.
There are indications that diplomacy played a part in the negotia-
tions, the records showing an expenditure of S250 on June 18 for
carriages and a band of music. City officials and aldermen were
driven through the Park that they might understand the scale of the
undertaking, and then they were serenaded and banqueted that the}'
might feel kindly toward it. The desired results were achieved
without any apparent hitch or opposition, for on July 2 the Board of
Public Works of the city made formal application to the Commis-
sioners to be relieved from further care of the improved portion of
the Park, and to transfer such care to them. On the following day
the Commissioners met, and by formal resolution accepted the new
responsibility and assumed the new expense from the 1st of July.
From that date the Commissioners appointed by the Governor have
been the sole authority in the government of the Park.
At this time the old Park was considered a finished product of the
landscape gardener's art; and the Board of Public Works in their
report published in 1873 included the following statement of the
work which had been done there:
" The first appropriation which was made by the city on account of this work was
in the year 1865. The necessary surveys were made, and a plan for the further
improvement of the Park was adopted in the fall of that year. The ground at that
time was nothing but a succession of sand hills, with no vegetation whatever, except
an occasional bush and a few scrub oaks upon the western portion. An old ditch had
been cut through it by the Cook County Drainage Commissioners some years before,
for the purpose of draining the lowlands lying to the north. This ditch was filled
with stagnant water a greater portion of the time.
"The sand banks were changing about from place to place by the different
currents of the wind, like drifts of snow, and nothing could be done toward starting
vegetation until the surface could be properly graded and covered with loam.
" In converting the grounds to use as a public park there was but little about it,
excepting its location, that gave any promise of success.
"The design adopted embraced in addition to about five miles of drives and walks,
an artificial lake covering about three acres of surface and various hills and elevations.
" The material excavated from the lake was used in making the elevations.
After the grade had been completed, very large quantities of loam and manure were
obtained, with which the surface was covered to an average depth of fifteen inches.
More portions were then sodded, and others were seeded for grass. The walks and
drives are composed of a bedding of blue clay, with a surface dressing of gravel.
There are four bridges crossing the artificial lake at different places. Only one of
these, however, is of a permanent character. The others were only designed for
temporary use, and should be replaced by something more ornamental, and more in
keeping with the place.
" The surface of the ground is now well covered with an abundant growth of
grass; and trees and shrubbery sufficient for ornament and shade have been set out
and are doing well.
"Numerous caves, grottoes, rockeries, and drinking-fountains have been con-
structed at different points-
"The artificial lake, with its swans and other water-fowl, together with numerous
specimens of birds and wild animals collected in the park, contributes very much to
the attractions of the place.
44 A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
"An abundant supply of water to keep the lake fresh and clear at all times is except on Sundays and concert days," when more freedom was to
obtained from an artesian well which was sunk to a depth of ,173 feet in 1870 fae aUowed The so ;, wag SQ an< j the fadUties fof waterinR the
"Inthiswav this barren and desolate piece of ground has been transformed ■ ' °
into a place of rare beauty, and the multitude of people who are constantly attracted g ra ss, which grew sparsely in the Park, were so meager, that the only
hither testify to its value as a place of public resort." way the lawns could be preserved at all was by giving them a long
The expenditures by the city for the improvement and maintenance rest after each short P eriod of use - The Park was s o popular by that
of Lincoln Park in the period ending July 1, 1873, for each year and time as a P Iace of P ublic resort . and so crowded on Sundays and
the total amounts, were as follows: holidays, that the lawns would be badly trampled on such days, and
a week's rest be necessary to revive the grass. The contractors were
1866-67 14,883.66 to render the police department of the Park all needful assistance in
1868-60 2?'84q83 preserving order and good will, by employing only "such men as are
1869-70 31,830.72 sober and orderly, and civil when spoken to by visitors." All flowers
1871-72"-- "."IX^//-"/-/.y--"-!----I-/---"--I------------- 17I254I33 an d pl a nts that might be placed in the Park, the contract provided,
1872-73 15,043.79 should be planted, watered, and cared for in a proper manner.
1873-74 4,71272 . ' v
No expenditure for plants or flowers is reported, however, in the
Total-.. s168.851.94 annals of Lincoln Park, until June, 1874.
Few changes have been made in the arrangement of the walks, The first concert given under the auspices of the Commissioners
drives, and lawn spaces in the old Park since 1873. While willing to was furnished by the Great Western Light Guard Band, in August,
assume the expense of maintaining the improved part of the Park, 1873. Some question had been raised as to the authority of the
the Commissioners preferred to postpone the necessity of organizing Commissioners to give concerts in the Park on Sundays, and they
a force of workmen, and instead arranged with the contractors, Nel- called upon their attorney for an opinion on the subject at their meet-
son & Benson, who had constructed the Lake Shore Drive and done ing of July 28. So many of the express provisions of the Park Act
much other work in the Park, to keep it in order, for a sum varying had been set aside as invalid by the courts, that the Commissioners
from $2,000 a month in the summer to S500 in the winter. The were timorous of their right to do anything not expressly provided
specifications for the work required, among other things, that drives for in the law. The opinion of the Board's attorney, John N. Jewett,
and walks be kept in repair and sprinkled while necessary; that the was favorable to the right of the Commissioners to furnish music for
lawns be weeded, mowed, and watered; that the leaves be raked up the delectation of the public on Sundays if they chose, although it
in the winter; the bridges kept in repair; and the animals and birds was prefaced by his personal opinion that Sunday concerts were
in the Park fed and cared for. The provision of the contract which decidedly improper and undesirable. The Commissioners were
reads most strangely to-day is one that the public should at all times guided by the legal rather than the personal opinion, and Sunday
have free access to some portions of the grass, designated by the cap- concerts have been a regular institution of Lincoln Park ever since, the
tain of police, and marked "common," but that "not more than one- Supreme Court never having been called upon to pass on the question
sixth of the lawns should be opened to the public in any one day, of their legality.
^-^j y ^
A
t^tyvpoii^^vMiVn^db^
4 6
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
In 1874 a large force of men was kept busy in digging up the
poison ivy which infested part of the Park grounds, and some of it
evidently escaped notice, for as late as 1884 claims for damages were
brought against the Commissioners by visitors who had been poisoned
by it. The city was still using the land north of Fullerton Avenue as
a dumping-ground, and the Commissioners were having difficulty in
obtaining possession of property already purchased for the Park. The
Park police took forcible possession of the axle-grease factory on the
Farwell tract in this year and tore it down, but it was not until 1875
that the stone factory was seized and razed to the ground. In 1874
Hans Balatka furnished the concerts given in the Park. One of the
principal improvements of the year was the building of a plank side-
walk, twelve feet wide, on Clark Street, from North Avenue to Center
Street. Instructions were given by the Commissioners that the side-
walk "should not interfere with the cemetery lots." The work of
converting the cemetery from its long-accustomed use progressed so
far in this year that the Commissioners made a contract for filling up
the lowlands where the ball-grounds now are, and in 1875 they
entered upon a more extensive scheme of improvements. The speed-
ing track - , afterward converted into a bridle-path, was laid out just west
of the shore drive for its entire length; a connection drive was built
from "Monument Circle," at the head of Dearborn Street, to the south
end of the race-course and shore drive, and another to the head of the
Pine Street Drive at North Avenue. The ' ' Monument Circle" itself was
to be graded for a lawn and trees. Some prophetic insight may have
told the Commissioners that some day there would be a monument in
that circle, but for a dozen years, until the erection of the Lincoln
Monument, the name was a misnomer. At the same time the West
Drive was outlined from North Avenue to the old Park, and the
Stockton Drive from the north line of the old Park to Diversey Avenue.
The excavation for the South Pond was undertaken simultaneously
with the construction of the drives and lawns, the contractors beini-r
required to take the sand filling used in bringing the drives and
lawns to the required grade from the site of the proposed pond.
Many thousands of yards of sand also were hauled from the site of
the pond to make filling for the Pine Street Drive. The race-course
was built by Park workmen, the other drives by contract, and all were
practically completed within that year. Clay was largely used in the
construction of drives, and thousands of yards were bought and
brought to the Park, the excavations from the site of the court-house
and from the city water-tunnels being purchased. Possession was
taken of the Newberry tract in November, 1875, but the nursery on
the Foster tract was allowed to remain for two years longer before
an}' improvements were begun in that part of the Park. The banks
of the new lake were ready for grading in July, 1876, and in Decem-
ber work was begun on the grading and improvement of the Mall, the
long promenade which, stretching from the "Monument Circle" to the
South Pond, flanked on either side by smooth sward, spreading elms,
and rustic baskets of flowers, is now one of the most beautiful parts
of Lincoln Park.
The increase of lawn surface in 1876 through the improvements of
the previous year, the added surface of drives for sprinkling, with the
decrease in the flow of the artesian wells caused by the digging of
other wells for commercial purposes west of the Park, compelled the
securing of other sources of water supply. In February, 1877, work
was begun laying water mains from Diversey Avenue as far south as
the west concourse, opposite Wisconsin Street, and in May the Park
was supplied with water for sprinkling purposes from the Chicago and
Lake View pumping plants. In 1877 the Commissioners decided that
a new drive was necessary to divert some of the increasing travel on
the Lake Shore Drive, and the Ridge Road was constructed on the
slight elevation west of the drive, from a point near the southeastern
corner of the South Pond to Webster Avenue. In the following year
it was continued to Fullerton Avenue, where it branched east and
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
west to connect with the Stockton and the, Lake Shore Drives.
Because of the wide sweep to the east which the road takes to sur-
round the animal-house and yards, this part of it has been called the
Ramble Drive.
The construction of the Fullerton Avenue conduit in this year
furnished an opportunity for the purchase of large quantities of clay
on reasonable terms, and the first published report of the Commis-
sioners, issued in April, 1879, recited the fact that 100,000 yards of
clay and 50,000 yards of black soil had -been purchased up to that
time for the construction of drives and lawns, while 75 acres of the
Park were still unimproved.
The Humane Society decided in 1877 tna t where so much pleasure
was furnished for man there should be more provision for the comfort
of beasts, and presented to the Park a circular watering-basin for
horses, surmounted by a handsome stone fountain. A foundation was
built for the fountain by the Commissioners at the meeting of the
shore drive and the connection drive from the Dearborn Street
entrance, opposite Wisconsin Street. The fountain was formally pre-
sented, with simple but interesting ceremonies, on September 13.
Skating on the Park ponds, an amusement which had been encour-
aged since 1874, had become so popular by 1878, and the facilities
for lighting the Park at night were so meager, that locomotive head-
lights were rented every season, and distributed around the banks
of the ponds to light the way for the skaters.
The year 1878 was notable in Park annals also for the fact that
Professor "Johnny" Hand then began to discourse classical music
with his band, a custom he has already continued for over twenty
years. In this year, too, the use of the North Avenue pier was
granted to the Floating Hospital Association, and a pavilion was
erected on the pier by the Commissioners, and maintained by them
for years for the benefit of sick babies and their mothers, who were
brought there from the hot and crowded city in a steamboat chartered
by the association. The institution was continued, doing countless
good, until 1886, when plans for the enlargement of the Park by the
reclamation of land from the lake compelled the removal of the pier.
Since then the sanitarium erected on the Fullerton Avenue pier in
1 S89 by the. Fresh Air Fund has proven a worthy successor of the
Floating Hospital.
The first fire in Lincoln Park after the Chicago fire occurred on
the night of January 20, 1879, when the small frame building near
the present site of the animal-house, which had been erected in 1873
as a tool-house and police station, was burned, from some unknown
cause, at a total loss of SSoo. The tool-house was re-erected on
Fullerton Avenue, on the west boundary of the Park, adjoining the
barn built by the Park contractors in 1872, after the destruction of
an older barn on the same site, which had been the last building on
the North Side to burn in the great fire. The barn had been bought
from the contractors in 1877, at the same time with the purchase from
them of the old pavilion and boat-house, and the cottage in the Park
opposite Center Street, which had been used as a residence succes-
sively by the contractors who laid out the old Park and by the Super-
intendent of Lincoln Park, up to that time. The building was used
for Park offices, and after the fire of 1879, as a police station, until it
was torn down in 1893 to make room for the Academy of Sciences.
A fountain, presented by Perry H. Smith in 1879, was located
west of the floral garden.
On July 15, 1879, "led horses" and "bicycles" were linked
together by the Commissioners in a single resolution as joint foes to
the peace of mind and safety of body necessary to the pursuit of hap-
piness in a public park, and ruthlessly excluded from all Park drives.
The Commissioners were conservative, and bicycle riders were then a
small and comparatively uninfluential set, neither clamorous for good
roads nor wont to sway elections. The most they asked was to be let
alone. But a stray and adventurous rider of one of the old-fashioned
5°
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
high bicycles had eluded the vigilance of Park police and got as far
inside the Park as the animal-yards, frightened a horse, and caused a
runaway. After that the mild requests of the wheelmen for recogni-
tion only resulted in the passage of other ordinances, on May 4, 1880,
and October 4, 1881, prohibiting bicycles in the Park. On October
25, 18S1, a petition in favor of bicycles was firmly and forcibly placed
on file. But the wheelmen continued to call attention respectfully to
the facts that horses were becoming civilized and accustomed to
wheels, and that in other cities restrictions were being removed, and
bicycles given all the rights of express-wagons and other vehicles. On
May 25, 1882, the order prohibiting bicycles was suspended for the
three davs of the wheelmen's convention, May 29, 30, and 31. This
was the entering wedge, and by their insidious behavior and the docil-
ity of horses in the Park the bicycles increased their footing. On
July 27 the ordinance was suspended for thirty days, and was a dead
letter after that, except between sunset and sunrise. A complaint in
1884 that a bicycle had frightened a horse received scant considera-
tion, but it was not until 1886 that the great boon of being allowed to
ride in the Park of nights was gained by the wheelmen. Now the
Park drives are thronged with bicycles at all hours, bicycle-paths are
constructed as an essential part of every new boulevard, and even the
bridle-paths may be converted into bicycle-paths at any day. Times
have changed, and the view of the north artesian well as the Mecca
of thirsty riders and of a constantly altering crowd of visitors gives
some idea of the change.
In 18S0 the Commissioners adopted a plan for the improvement
of the part of the Park east of the Lake Shore Drive, and the widening
of the drive to sixty feet, in the fond but fruitless belief that the new
breakwater then being constructed on the "Netherlands" plan would
prevent the erosion of the drive.
The constantly increasing cost of purchasing a sufficient water
supply from the city and from the town of Lake View turned the
attention of the Commissioners to the idea of constructing water-works
of their own, and plans and estimates were secured. The idea was
abandoned for the time being, and as a temporary expedient the old
artesian wells, one of which had stopped running, were cleaned out and
repaired. In this year the Commissioners began to consider the mat-
ter of improving that part of the Park north of Fullerton Avenue,
and the question of including a small lake in the plan was decided
affirmatively on February 8, 188 1, by a petition from a number of
influential citizens from Lake View, asking that if any improvement
be made, a lake be provided for as well as lawns. The petition was
granted, and when the North Pond was completed, the name of Com-
missioner Stockton, who had been especially insistent upon its con-
struction, was given to the pond. At this time but little attention
had been paid to the north end of the Park', except in the matter of
maintaining the shore drive and the narrow strips of lawn and trees
on either side of it. A large number of forest trees had been planted
in 1 87 1 in the tract west of the Stockton Drive, now used as a picnic-
ground; but the land was low and marshy, the "Ten-Mile Ditch" had
not yet been filled in, and as late as 1882 complaints were made to
the Commissioners of the stagnant water in this channel. In the
next few years the work of excavating for the pond was steadily
pushed, and sand was sold to the value of thousands of dollars, while
enough remained for the construction of Mount Prospect, overlook-
ing the pond, the shore drive, and Lake Michigan. Much of the
rich soil along the old ditch was taken for the construction of lawns
on either side of the pond, and replaced with greater quantities of
sand filling from the pond. Water was turned into the pond in 1884,
and boats were placed upon it the last week in June. A driveway and
bridle-path were afterward laid out, surrounding and ascending Mount
Prospect, with a concourse for carriages upon its summit, but as every
rainstorm washed deep gullies down the driveways they were finally
abandoned and sodded over.
^
\\e&Ca\\\\k\\, I^.xa\\ee\^ ~\^toVx^%cV ^
52
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
In 1S81 the English section of Socialists asked leave to hold pub-
lic meetings in the Park, to which petition the Commissioners
promptly responded by passing an order strictly prohibiting public
meetings for any object whatever in the Park.
In 1882 the Commissioners decided to extend the shore drive
from its southern terminus at the Humane Society Fountain to the
Pine Street Drive at North Avenue, across the old Farwell tract. No
improvement of the shore in this section of the Park had been
attempted up to that time, because of its importance as a convenient
depot for supplies of gravel, which was constantly being needed for
the repair of the drives, and of sand for filling. After its completion
the drive was continued to connect with the Ridge Road, and the
South Connection Drive from the "Monument Circle" to the Pine
Street Drive was reconstructed. In this year the Commissioners
decided upon building the South Pond Refectory, but first applied to
their attorney for an opinion on the question whether or not the fire
ordinance of the city was binding within the limits of the Park and
debarred them from the right to erect frame buildings. The opinion
was favorable to the rights of the Commissioners in the matter, and
in February contracts were awarded for the construction of the build-
ing. On its completion, at the cost of $14,61 1.33, the Commissioners
bought the boats, which up to that time had been operated by the
Park Superintendent without payment for the privilege. Since then a
considerable revenue has been derived from letting boats, the returns
amounting in the World's Fair year to over Si 4,000.
In 1882 the Commissioners finally decided upon the erection of a
water-pumping plant, to secure an independent supply from the lake
for Park purposes. A small plant was built and furnished with
machinery, at the cost of a little over $4,000, and on July 10, 1883,
the works were started with a capacity of 720,000 gallons every
twenty-four hours. While this greatly increased the facilities for
caring for lawns, the Commissioners continued to use city water, the
Park supply being insufficient for all purposes. The records indicate,
however, that they became more careless thereafter in the payment of
water rates, for in 1885 the Superintendent of the City Water Depart-
ment, with total disregard of the finer feelings of the authorities of
the co-ordinate municipality, made repeated demands for the payment
of said rates, and repeated threats that the water would be shut off if
they were not paid.
In 1SS3, also, the Commissioners decided that the day for coal-oil
lamps and locomotive headlights in the Park had passed, and rented an
electric-light plant and twenty-five lamps, which were installed in Octo-
ber. In the following year the plant was purchased, and twenty-five
more lamps erected. In this year, also, the old Jewish cemetery, which
had just been purchased, was graded and improved, trees were planted
along the shore drive on the Farwell tract, and eight acres of sand and
gravel in that tract were covered with good soil and seeded for a lawn.
In 1884 the "Alarm Group," the first of the many statues which
adorn the Park, was presented by Mr. M. A. Ryerson, and unveiled with
interesting ceremonies. The precedent became contagious, and later
in the year a proposition was made to the Commissioners for the erec-
tion of a memorial to Thomas Paine. For some reason not evident
in the records of the Park the project was never carried out. A statue
of Schiller was offered to the Park this year, though it was not formally
presented until May 8, 1886, and work was begun on the foundations
for the Lincoln Monument.
A carriage entrance was constructed this year from the corner of
Clark Street and North Avenue to the "Monument Circle," and in
1885 the broad granolithic walk on Clark Street along the entire Park-
front from North Avenue to Center Street was laid, and still remains
in satisfactory evidence of the thoroughness of the work.
In 1886 the present south artesian well was dug a few yards away
from the old well sunk by the city in 1870, which had been lost several
times, after the provoking habit of artesian wells, and had finally
54
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
caved in and become useless. The improvement of the part of the
Park in Lake View was continued, and three acres of new lawn added.
This gain was not enough, however, to offset the loss in the south end
of the Park which resulted from several severe storms in the winter of
1885-86, in which Lake Michigan ran riot, washing away several hun-
dred feet of the new shore drive north of North Avenue and flooding
the ball-grounds. This destruction of the shore threatened the land
accumulations of years, including the greater part of the Farwell tract
purchase, and convinced the Commissioners, and the authorities of
North Chicago as well, that there should be no more temporizing with
Lake Michigan. It was determined to erect an impregnable protec-
tion against the lake; and to justify the great expenditure of money
which would be necessary, the Commissioners planned to construct a
breakwater far enough out in the lake to add many valuable acres to
the Park domain. The work of constructing the sea-wall along the Pine
Street Drive as far north as Burton Place was begun in this year, and
at the same time the plan was adopted by which from Burton Place
the breakwater was built curving out into the lake, and extended in
time to Fullerton Avenue, reclaiming the sixty odd acres on which
the present paved beach, parapet, outer drive, lagoon, and spreading
lawn have been constructed, the outer line of the breakwater being an
average distance of over 500 feet east of the original shore drive.
The first plan for the improvement did not include the lagoon, which
was decided upon in 1S89, partly to meet the wishes of boating
enthusiasts, who advanced strong arguments in favor of a straight-
away protected course for rowing races and for a yacht harbor, and
partly to reduce the expense and expedite the completion of the
improvement. The dredging of the lagoon provided a great amount
of filling for the construction of the lawns and drive on either side of
it, which could not have been dredged from the lake without great
danger of weakening the breakwater.
On June 14, 1887, an act was passed by the Legislature, and
approved, authorizing the issue of bonds for $300,000 for the erection
of a breakwater or sea-wall along the shore of the lake to prevent the
waste of land, and on July 19, with the consent of the authorities of
North Chicago, the Commissioners ordered the issue of bonds of the
town to the amount of £300, 000 for the purpose of shore protection,
the bonds to bear date of October I, 1887, and run for twenty years
at five per cent interest, each bond to have the face value of Si, 000.
During the year seventy of the bonds were disposed of. The issue
was insufficient to complete the work, and in May, 1891, an additional
bond issue of $200,000 was authorized. With the means thus pro-
vided the improvement was completed in 1893, at the cost of about
8540,000, or an average price of 89,000 per acre for the land reclaimed
from the lake.
In 1887, after the construction of several thousand feet of tempo-
rary breakwater along the shore drive, that part of the roadbed
which was washed away in 1886 was replaced, and a bridle-path con-
structed along the west line of the drive, from the concourse at the
Humane Society fountain to North Avenue. The fountain in the
floral garden, the gift of Eli Bates, was completed in this year, and
on October 22 the Lincoln Monument, from the same donor, was
unveiled with impressive ceremonies. New pumping-works were
built, with increased capacity, to meet the ever-increasing needs of
the Park lawns, and the Fullerton Avenue conduit was tapped in
the following year, with the permission of the city, to furnish the
supply.
In 1889 the work of reconstructing the Park drives was begun.
The unfitness of gravel drives on clay foundation for Park uses had
long been evident, and in the course of a few years the old material
was entirely removed, the clay being put to a better use as a founda-
tion for new lawns. The new drives were made of slag, surfaced
with macadam or fine gravel, and as far as means would permit they
were given a facing of crushed granite. The use of granite nearly
56
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
doubles the cost of a roadway, but with the great and constantly
increasing travel through the Park it furnishes the only satisfactory
drive in all kinds of weather, and one of the greatest needs of Lincoln
Park in 1899 is that of a granite coating for all its main traveled
drives.
In 1890 the electric fountain, offered the preceding year by C. T.
Yerkes, was erected, and additional room provided for sight-seers by
the removal and destruction of the Humane Society fountain, which
had stood for twelve years in the concourse near by. As a recom-
pense for its loss, a new fountain and watering-trough, the gift of
Commissioner Horatio N. May, had been erected in 1889 in the con-
course of the West Drive, near the South Pond. In this year Lake
View Avenue was opened along the west line of the Park from Fuller-
ton Avenue to Roslyn Place, and the stable, shops, and sheds which
had stood for many years in that corner of the Park were removed.
In the next few years eleven acres of new lawns were constructed in
this part of the Park, while the Park horses were kept in rented stables
until in 1894 the basement of the propagating houses was arranged
for a barn.
In 1893 the construction of the high bridge over the lagoon was
undertaken, and completed in the following year, furnishing not only
a passageway from the beach drive to the inner drive, but also the
means of healthful exercise to all who might climb its numerous steps,
and a splendid point of observation from which to view the Park.
In 1894 the Commissioners tried the experiment of purchasing for
use on the ponds a few of the electric launches which plied on the
lagoons in Jackson Park during the Fair the year before. The prin-
cipal improvement of this year was the construction of the Academy
of Sciences building. Friendly relations had been established with
the trustees of this institution as far back as April 2, 1878, when the
Commissioners granted a request from them for the bodies of all
animals in the Park collection at their death, in order that they might
be mounted for exhibition in the Academy and their usefulness not be
wholly lost. In 1884 the first effort was made to secure the erection
of a home for the Academy in the Park. After conferences between
the Commissioners and the trustees, a bill was drawn up and submitted
to the Legislature in the following year to set apart grounds for a
museum of natural history in the Park. The bill was not passed, and
the matter dropped until 1891, when proposals were again made by
the trustees of the Academy, looking toward the construction of a
building in the Park, and on January 10, 1893, an agreement was
entered into under which the present home of the Academy of Sci-
ences was located in Lincoln Park, under authority of an act of the
Legislature passed in the following June, at the cost of Sioo.ooo, of
which 875,000 was contributed by Matthew Laflin, and the remainder
by the Commissioners, in return for the perpetual use of a small part
of the building for Park offices. Under this agreement, the Commis-
sioners maintain the building and contribute annually to the running
expenses of the Academy. The construction of the building had
involved the closing of the driveway into the Park at Center Street,
which was replaced with a foot-walk, and the destruction of the old
frame building near the entrance, which had been occupied in turn
since 1870 as the residence of the contractor and superintendent, and
as the headquarters of the superintendent, engineering force, and
police force. The Academy was opened October I, 1894, and soon
afterward the down-town offices of the Commissioners, which had
been maintained since 1870, were given up, and the headquarters of the
Commissioners and their office force established in the new building.
In 1895 the Commissioners began two improvements of great
practical value in the construction of a new water-pumping and elec-
tric-lighting station. The water mains were extended to all parts of
the Park, and the capacity of the pumps increased to 5,000,000 gal-
lons daily. The electric-lighting plant, which had until that time been
located in the basement of the propagating houses, was also enlarged,
5*
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
and the service extended, until now there are 244 lamps in use in the
Park, all the cables being underground.
Early in 1895 a sma ll sum was appropriated for bath-houses on
the beach north of Fullerton Avenue, and the beach was first opened
to the use of the public in that year. In 1896 the driveway for car-
riages at the corner of North Avenue and Clark Street to the Lincoln
Monument was closed and sodded over, leaving only a foot-walk.
The north pavilion and boat-house was built at the upper end of
the North Pond in 1896, and a light iron fence constructed around a
large part of the lagoon as a protection for children. In 1897 the
lagoon fence was completed, bicycle-paths in the north end
of the Park constructed, and the north artesian well, which had
run dry in 1895, was cleaned out and deepened until a new flow was
secured.
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SHORE PROTECTION
Lake Michigan has always been one of the chief beauties of Lin-
coln Park, and free access to its shore a great and increasing attraction.
But the lake has also always been one of the chief sources of expense
and mental worry to the Park Commissioners from the time when, in
the summer of 1 870, they began the construction of the Lake Shore
Drive near the water's edge. They were obliged at the same time to
take measures to prevent the lake from washing over the drive and
carrying its material into deep water. Scores of different methods of
protecting the shore line were adopted from time to time, in the belief
that at last the force of the waves had been rendered harmless.
Numerous engineers have been employed, both as consulting experts
and in charge of construction work. United States army engineers
stationed at Chicago and other lake ports have been advised with, and
as a rule the best talent available has been secured. Countless sug-
gestions have been offered to the Board by inventors and contractors,
all of them to be carefully weighed, and many of them tried, and still
for years the storms of each winter would give the lie to the confi-
dent hopes of the preceding summer when the lake was calm and the
various forms of shore protection were under construction.
In the Park's early history the Commissioners were hampered by
lack of funds and the necessity of doing work cheaply or not at all, — a
condition which still obtains, — but the storms of Lake Michigan are
not cheap affairs, to be cheaply dealt with, as costly experience has
told. Her waves dash against the beach like enormous trip-hammers,
with a force of 250 pounds to the square inch, and only the most sub-
stantial work will resist them. Even yet the success which has been
attained is only partial. The experience of years and the expenditure
of over a millipn dollars have shown that the only way to withstand
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
the hike is to build a protection which extends below its sand bed
until it is firmly anchored in the clay, is so perfectly sand and water
tight that the filling behind it cannot be carried away, and is so strong
as to stand immovable against the tremendous power of the waves.
The first idea carried out in the work of shore protection was to
construct piers at right angles with the shore, with the hope of not
only protecting the shore line, but causing accretions. At the first
meeting after the appointment of the first Superintendent of the Park,
July 30, 1870, that official was ordered to build a pier to preserve
the shore, and to consult, as to its erection and character of construc-
tion, with the engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad Company,
which had already had considerable experience both in protecting a
shore line and in extending it into the lake. The Superintendent
recommended the construction of a pier of timber and stone 600 feet
south of Diversey Street; and on August 2 a contract was made for a
pier 65 feet long, to be filled with 30 cords of stone. The pier was
built of stout wooden boxes 12 feet square and 6 feet high, securely
bolted together to the required length. It was towed from 'the place
of its construction to the proposed location off the Lake Shore Drive,
one end anchored to the shore, and then filled with rubble stone, at J
total cost of S17 per foot, or Si, 105 for the entire contract, which was
completed August 11. Piles were driven alongside the pier to keep
it in place, and traces of the piles are still visible, though the pier
long since sank out of sight. It sank from its weight through the
yielding sand, and in a comparatively short time the waves washed
over it unimpeded. This was not to be discovered until later, how-
ever, and in the next three years ten more box piers were built along
the shore, at distances of several hundred feet apart, from the first pier
to a point about opposite Wisconsin Street. They differed in con-
struction from the first pier in being weighted with sand instead of
stone, and as the figures of the shore protection account grew larger
and more imposing, a lighter and cheaper method of construction was
adopted. In the later piers it was considered sufficient to have
every alternate chamber filled with sand, the outer chambers decked
with tvyo-nch plank, and the pier deep enough to stand three feet
above the water, costing six or seven dollars a foot. The pier at Cen-
ter Street, long used as a steamboat landing, and the pier at Webster
Avenue were 150 feet long, decked over, and furnished with seats.
Before the last pier was built in 1874, the older ones would have bur-
rowed out of sight in the sand if the Commissioners had not made
contracts frequently to raise them and refill them. It was also found
that when the lake made land on one side of a pier it usually cut out
as much more on the other side.
While the Commissioners were depending in part on pier construc-
tion of this kind, they were also trying other methods. One of the
earliest and simplest was to collect brush in great quantities, and pile
it on the shore in the face of advancing waves. Afterward stones
were piled on the brush, and as they were tossed about like feathers
m a gale, a new scheme of brush protection was invented Acres of
willow marshes along the Desplaines River and other near-by points
were robbed of their bushes, which were tied in bundles 6 inches thick
and 4 or 5 feet long, and stakes driven through then, into the yield-
ing sand, after which they were pinned down. This experiment was
first tried north from the first pier to Diversey Street, making a solid
floor of brush from I 5 to 20 feet above the water-line into the water.
For a time, in mild weather, the brush seemed effective, and the
Superintendent made glowing predictions while extending it along
the shore between piers. Put the first severe storm of winter gave
the brush protection a harder test than it could stand, ripping up the
bundles as if they were so much paper, and leaving them floating
harmlessly and uselessly on the water. Poxes with a wide base, nar-
rowing toward the top, were stretched along the shore between the
piers and filled with sand, ranging in price from 65 cents to 82.25
a foot, according to the size and the strength of material used. Some
6 4
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
of these were put in during the winter of 1870, and some other schemes
were experimented with, of which no records remain. In their first
annual report to the City Council, made in April, 187 1, the Commis-
sioners refer in the following terms to their efforts to protect the shore:
" Various plans have been tested with reasonable success, and the Commissioners
believe that with the experience of the past season the work can be prosecuted during
the coming summer so as to afford a secure and permanent protection to the Park
proper from the further encroachment of the lake."
Little reason for this official hope was to develop, but during the
following year or two, thousands of bundles of brush were used, and
the construction of piers and sand-boxes was continued. The boxes,
like the piers, gradually sank through the sand till out of sight, unless
they were first smashed in pieces by the waves. While storms were
raging, the Park employes frequently improved upon Mrs. Partington's
example by putting loose brush and bark along the shore, and the
Superintendent's diary occasionally recorded the fact that such protec-
tion was effectual.
Another form of protection was to lay oak slabs along the shore
and weight them down with stone, but any storm was likely to hurl
both stone and lumber clear across the drive. In 1875 a more sub-
stantial form of protection was adopted for the line of the Pine Street
Drive from North Avenue to Oak Street, a breakwater constructed as
follows: A close row of piling on the outside driven to the clay; five
feet inside of this a row of piles four feet apart, to which rows of hor-
izontal plank sheeting were nailed from a few feet below the water
line to the grade of the proposed drive; the two rows of piling
anchored together by tie rods, and the space between filled with stone
and brush. Over goo feet of this breakwater was constructed in this
year at $19 a foot, and in 1874 the remaining 3,000 feet was built
for $13.73 a foot. While this breakwater was an improvement on the
character of the shore protection in the Park proper, and stood with-
out sinking out of sight or being broken by storms until the construc-
tion of the sea wall in 18S6, it had one fatal defect. It was neither
water-tight nor sand-tight, and the lake washed through and washed
back again, carrying out the filling inside the breakwater almost as
fast as it could be put in, in spite of all expedients which could be
adopted.
In 1873 and 1874 the Commissioners still relied on the use of
boxes in the Park proper, although the temporary character of such a
protection was fully recognized. In May, 1874, a damage of over
S 1,000 to the Shore Drive by storms was reported. More boxes were
the specific prescribed, but in July bids were secured for the construc-
tion of a breakwater 700 feet out from the shore, running the entire
length of the Park. Notice of the plan was given to the city authori-
ties, who raised the objection that the city sewerage system might be
interfered with; and partly for fear of litigation and partly because of
the expense of the undertaking, the plan was abandoned. Later in
the year, bids were asked for driving a single row of piles along the
shore which would be guaranteed to keep the drive from washing, but
nothing came of the plan. In 1875 breakwaters of slabs were con-
structed at an average cost of two dollars a foot, and in 1876 a hundred
feet of shore protection was built on a plan just adopted at Jackson
Park; but as storms beat with greater force on Lincoln Park than on
Jackson Park, which is protected by the government breakwater, that
example was not found a safe one to follow.
From July to September, 1876, seven piers were repaired and
raised, leaving three more to repair. Old boxes were repaired and
filled, 1,480 feet of new boxes were made, and great quantities of stone
filling and brush used in shore protection, and the Shore Drive was
narrowed to fifty feet; yet in the following April it was reported that
"at present the entire line of the Lake Shore Drive is in ruins, and
unsafe and unsightly, and every storm increases the work of devasta-
tion."
At this time over $40,000 had been expended in temporary make-
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66
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
shifts, and the Commissioners decided to start over ao-ain. An
engineer was employed to report on the question of shore protection,
and he examined twenty-six different suggestions or plans which had
been previously submitted to the Board, besides investigating the sys-
tems of shore protection on the Fox River, on Lake Michigan at Mil-
waukee, and on the Atlantic Ocean at Plymouth and Provincetown.
The first result of his inquiry was, that at the meeting of April 24,
1877, the Commissioners .finally decided by formal resolution to use
no more boxes for shore protection. The engineer in his report dis-
cussed the devices submitted to him, which ranged in price from
iSl.80 to S3 2 a running foot, dividing them into classes. There were
plans for solid crib-work sunk along the shore, for pile piers filled
with brush and stone, brush or fascine mattresses weighted with stone,
after the system in use on the dikes of Holland, sheet piling driven
edge to edge, and many others. One suggestion advanced by the
engineer was to obtain roots of sea-grass, growing in the sand of the
Atlantic coast, where it was a great protection to the shore, and plant
them here. But the Commissioners, for their first experiment,
adopted a plan for a breakwater of piling, brush, and stone, 350 feet
long, which was put in between the second and third piers south of
Diversey Avenue. Its remains are still visible, and are shown on the
Park map, page 98. The piles were driven three feet apart, mattresses
of brush closely woven together were laid between the piles and fas-
tened to them, and then they were weighted down with stone. The
piles still stand, but the brush and stone, though the breakwater was
several times refilled, long ago sank out of sight under the sand, to
effectually prove the inutility of that class of protection.
Soon after this the Commissioners became impressed with the
belief that the system of shore protection which had worked so well
in the Netherlands could not but succeed on Lake Michigan, and
entered into contracts for the construction of a breakwater, or dike,
of brush and stone. While the plan was under discussion, a specimen
section of the breakwater was built, and a committee of citizens pro-
tested against its use, on the ground that it could afford no permanent
protection, and proposed the building of an outer breakwater 700 or
800 feet from the shore. The Commissioners rejected the plan for
an outer breakwater, a good likeness of the one the Board had
advanced in 1874, because of the alleged question of their right to
expend money at such a distance from the shore, or to control the
breakwater after building it, because there was no way of raising
money for it, and because it would detract from the beauty of the
Park. To clinch the matter, they adopted a resolution declaring the
Netherlands plan the best yet known. In March, 1878, the first con-
tract for such a breakwater, on the following plan, was entered into.
Thick mattresses of brush were laid in tiers, 26 feet wide at the bot-
tom, 12 feet wide on top, in shallow water, 175 feet cast of the line of
the drive, and heavily weighted down with stone. Work was begun at
a point near the third pier, and continued south during that and the
three following seasons for a distance of about 6,000 feet, at a cost of
nearly S6o,ooo. While considerable sums were spent for filling in
west of the breakwater, the south end of this protection had hardly
been completed when the northern and older sections began to disin-
tegrate. When the water was low the brush rotted, and in heavy
storms the sand was sucked out from under the brush and stone,
which constantly sank lower, until in a short time the waves rushed
over the break and the filling behind it was taken out. Of all systems
of shore protection in Lincoln Park, the Holland plan was probably the
most valueless and least permanent in comparison with its cost.
While undoubtedly a success in the Netherlands, it was constructed
there on a firm foundation of clay, not on the treacherous and shifting
sand.
In 1885 the remains of the brush and stone breakwater were totally
inadequate for the protection of the drive, which was cut away to
some extent almost its entire length by very heavy storms. A sec-
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68
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
tion several hundred feet long in that part of the drive along the old
Farewell tract was washed completely away, and a small lake formed
in the ball-grounds. At this time a contractor who drove piling near
the shore to construct a settling basin for the water-pumping plant
went through the remains of three different systems of shore protec-
tion— the Holland brush mattresses and riprap, the boxes, which were
"of triangular section, filled with gravel, and resting on the bottom of
the lake," and one other which was indescribable.
In 1886 the advice of Government engineers and the best engineer-
ing talent available was sought, with the result that after long consid-
eration two elaborate schemes of shore protection were adopted. The
first to be carried out was the construction of the sea-wall along the
Pine Street Drive, from Burton Place to Bellevue Place, a distance
of 2,890 feet. After the plan, first proposed by General Fitz-Simons,
had been thoroughly considered and revised by United States
Engineer Major Handbury, it was adopted, and the construction was
begun in May, 1886. The two rows of piles in the old breakwater,
which were rotting where exposed to air, were cut off a few inches
below the surface of the water, the tops were decked with heavy
planking, and massive concrete blocks weighing fifteen tons each were
made and set on top of it. It was believed that this construction was
as solid as the hills and would stand forever, but within two years
the piling showed signs of weakening under the heavy load, and thou-
sands of tons of stone were dumped outside to strengthen it. For
some years the sea-wall stood and added to the beauty of the splendid
drive; and it might to-day be comparatively firm and unyielding as it
was at the time of its erection twelve years ago, if it had not been for
the unforeseen calamity of a fall of a foot or more in the level of the
lake. The result was, that the top of the piling was again exposed to
the air and began to rot, and in the severe storms of October, 1S98,
a section of the wall gave way.
The idea of building a breakwater which would be a permanent
protection, and constructing it so far out in the lake that a large addi-
tion could be made to the area of the Park, was formed at this time-
but ,t was necessary first to make some temporary protection for the
dnve, and in November, 1886, 1,000 feet of "A" breakwater was
ordered, where needed, north of North Avenue. This breakwater
consisted of a close row of plank sheeting driven into the bed of the
lake in a slanting direction, fastened at the top to beams running
transversely, and braced by occasional posts leaning in the other direc-
tion. In the following year this protection was extended north of
Fullerton Avenue, where some 1,500 feet of it still stands, though less
than half of it is now exposed to the action of the lake. The highest
cost was S2.90 per running foot. It was first invented and used in
Lincoln Park, and served its purpose admirably.
A still more elaborate protection than the' sea-wall was the con-
struction of the breakwater from North Avenue to Fullerton Avenue
with its paved beach, parapet, driveway, lagoon, and lawn improve-
ment, which added sixty acres to the area of Lincoln Park.
Preliminary to this improvement, and at the same time that work-
on the sea-wall was begun from Bellevue Place northward, the Com-
missioners decided upon a permanent breakwater in front of the Park,
an average distance of 300 feet from the shore. From Burton Place!
which was to be the northern terminus of the sea-wall, 901 feet of high
breakwater was constructed on a line curving lakeward to North Ave-
nue, consisting of a double row of 25-foot piles, 6 feet apart, 6 feet
above low-water mark, and filled in between with bark and stone.
From the line of North Avenue extended into the lake 300 feet to
meet the high breakwater, a low breakwater of similar construction,
but with the piles cut off near the water's edge, was constructed along
a line parallel with the shore, 1,000 feet being completed this season.
In 18S7, 2,000 more feet of piling was driven, but not completed.
In the following year a large part of this breakwater was seriously
damaged by storms, and had to be rebuilt. Although carefully con-
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
structed in accordance with the plans, it was found that the break-
water was not sand-tight, and would not hold the filling behind it. More
thorough work was needed, and the Wakefield sheeting was adopted
and driven, throughout the rest of the breakwater, against the land-
ward side of the piling. This sheeting consists of three rows of heavy
planks, driven into the clay as closely together as possible, and so as
to break joints. Where it is properly driven, and is not exposed to
the air, it is believed by many competent engineers that it will remain
for years as a complete protection against the lake. With the filling
behind the breakwater protected in this manner from being washed
through it, it was only necessary to prevent the lake from washing out
filling over the breakwater, and this was done by laying a sloping
paved beach of granite blocks from the outer row of piling to a line
48 feet back from and 7 feet 6 inches higher than the top of the
piling. Laid in water-tight cement, and with the Wakefield sheeting
properly driven, as the part of the work from the inlet 2,000 feet
north of North Avenue to Fullerton Avenue was done, this protection
has so far proved permanent. The breakwater has stood firm against
the shock of the waves, and retained the filling, while tons upon tons
of water, which have been hurled upon the paved beach by winter
storms, have rolled harmlessly back.
From North Avenue to the inlet, which part of the work was con-
structed before the adoption of the Wakefield sheeting, there has been
a more or less continual filtering of the sand filling under the paved
beach out through the breakwater, with the result that a force of the
waves pounding on the paved beach would break it down completely.
Several times since the beach was constructed, extensive repairs
have been necessary, and last fall the beach was destroyed again,
hardly two paving-stones in its entire extent remaining together. Last
summer work was begun on the only lines which offered a practical
and permanent solution of the difficulty, that of dredging out the stone
riprap, which had in previous years been deposited along the break-
water to increase its strength, and driving down new piling, protected
by Wakefield sheeting. When this work is completed, the filling
under the paved beach and the paved beach can be restored,
with reasonable assurance that the next storm will not destroy the
work.
This combined paved beach and breakwater, which for three-fifths
of its extent has proved an effectual protection against the lake, was
constructed under the plans and superintendence of Major William
L. Marshall, a government engineer of high standing, stationed in
Chicago. The same protection was adopted along the Ohio Street
Extension of the Lake Shore Drive, while on the North Shore Drive
a breakwater protected by Wakefield sheeting, but without the paved
beach, was constructed.
One of the numerous suggestions made in past years for the
protection of the shore, which the Commissioners did not see fit to
follow out, was to plant willow trees along the water-line. In the
recent troubles caused by the weakening of the sea-wall, it became
evident that fertility of resource and invention was not lost, for many
unique propositions were made for the preservation of the sea-wall and
paved beach. One of the most notable was the suggestion that in
time of storm oil should be spread on the lake along the threat-
ened structures, that the waves might be calmed and cease from
mischief.
One experiment tried by the Commissioners many years ago was
the purchase of an abandoned scow, which was towed near the shore
line and anchored. It long since sank from view in the sand, like
many other early forms of protection, and was encountered during
the driving of piles for the present breakwater near North Avenue.
In 1894 the pier at the foot of Fullerton Avenue, where the Sani-
tarium stood, was extended 480 feet into the lake, to a point opposite
the end of the paved beach work, to form a protection for the lagoon
and a more secluded harbor for yachts; while from the extremity of
72 A HISTORY OF
this pier a breakwater was built at right angles to it, extending 170
feet north. In the pocket formed by this protection the waves washed
up sand rapidly, and the two acres of sand beach had accumulated by
the following year for the benefit of bathers. The Commissioners in
the following year called for bids for the extension of the breakwater
to Diversey Boulevard, at a point 1,200 feet east of the present shore
line there, with the object of reclaiming forty more acres of land,
and extending the lagoon until a mile course could be secured; but
funds for the enterprise could not be obtained, and the project had to
be abandoned for the time.
In 1897 the land east of Lake View Avenue south of Belmont Ave-
nue was washed away by the lake, until the line of the boulevard was
threatened, and 175 feet of piling and sheeting were driven on the line
of the drive. In the following year this protection had to be extended
143 feet farther south, where it met a row of sheet piling put in years
before by private land-owners.
LINCOLN PARK
Following is a summary of the cost of shore protection along the
Park front, to which are added the cost of improving reclaimed°land
and of protecting the shore line of Park boulevards:
Breakwater . „
Dredging and filling.... ; ^6a£?J
Cement.. — " So.819.10
pj ers 10,004.07
Brush . ._ 12,49900
Lumber - . fiiP' 25
Labor and sundry supplies ... " 113 971 24
Filling and improving reclaimed land west of paved beach ^osSood
Breakwater and sea-wall, Pine Street Drive .... ,« r 3 ?"? 4
Breakwater on North Shore Drive 109,538.82
Oak Street breakwater.. 124,965.96
Belmont Avenue breakwater 6,170.00
Interest on shore protection bonds.. 3.34445
201,625.00
Total
Sl,2II,2 3 =.I5
OBTH IPoND,
|\l e w Boa.t House
\-n I'll a iislo-nce.
l_i NCOLM -
LAKE SHORE DRIVE
The Lake Shore Drive from North Avenue to Oak Street, for
years called the "Pine Street Drive," was provided for in the original
Park Act, which gave the Commissioners authority to construct a
boulevard 200 feet wide from the Park to Pine Street, which then
extended as far north as Oak Street only. The Park Act and subse-
quent amendments authorized a special assessment on property bene-
fited for the purchase of a right of way, and provided that the land to
be taken should be appraised in the same manner as the land to be
purchased for Park purposes. At the second meeting of the Commis-
sioners an order was passed for the appraisal of the land and the
preparation of an assessment roll, but the lack of funds compelled
delay, the first assessment roll was destroyed in the great fire, and a
new one had to be made. The first assessment was defeated in the
courts, and although an assessment for Si 00,000 was finally confirmed,
the money did not begin to come into the Park treasury until 1875.'
By this time the improvement was well under way. The act provided
that the shore line of Lake Michigan should be the east line of the
drive, but as that line was exceedingly crooked, some variations were
necessary; and with a view to securing the right of way more cheaply,
the drive was laid out through water for its entire extent, except for
a few feet at Oak Street. At North Avenue the east line of the drive
was 300 feet east of the shore line. The first deeds for the right of
way were secured in August, 1873; the construction of the breakwater
which marked the east line of the drive was begun the same month,
and 9 oo feet had been completed, when, on March 7, 1874, an order
was passed for the construction of the drive, and the assessment for the
purchase of the right of way, for which assessment the authority of
the north town officials was given on March 28. By the time the
assessment roll had been confirmed the breakwater was completed
north to North Avenue, and the west 60 feet of the drive had been
filled m for a roadway. Over 140,000 cubic yards of fillincr was
required for this narrow roadway, and the amount required to com-
plete the filling to the breakwater was estimated at over 400 000
yards. Large quantities of filling were dredged from the bed of' the
lake outside the breakwater, and thrown over it; but much of the filling
for the ongmal roadway was taken from the north end of the cemetery
tract, where the South Pond had been marked out, and some of it from
the excavat.on for the new court-house building at Clark and Wash-
ington streets. During 1875 trees were planted on either side of the
roadway, and the roadway itself completed on November 8, 1875
Two days earlier, however, on Saturday, November 6, without waiting
for the finishing touches, the drive was formally opened and dedicated
to the use of the public, with interesting ceremony. City officials
Park Commissioners, and other prominent citizens rode in a dozen
carriages from the offices of the Commissioners, in the Ashland Block
to the beginning of the new drive at Oak Street, and on along the
new boulevard into the Park, and to the refectory, which stood near
the site of the present refectory opposite Center Street, where a
banquet was spread for the enjoyment of the prominent citizens, and
speeches were made, F. H. Winston, President of the Commis-
sioners, presiding. An account of the proceedings in the Tribune
of the following day declared that the drive appeared to excellent
advantage:
"Large bodies of workmen were engaged planting trees on the
flanks of the boulevard, and everything around the drive and Lincoln
Park presented an artistic and animated appearance."
In the following year the spaces between the roadway and the
breakwater were filled and planted with grass and trees; but the work
76
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
of making and preserving a lawn was carried on at disadvantage for
some years, because of the almost constant loss of filling back of the
breakwater, by its washing out from the action of the lake The
breakwater itself had been refilled in l8 74 with stone and fascines
made necessary by the settling of the original filling. In i 875 estimates'
showed that iS.ooo yards, dredged and thrown over the breakwater
the year before, had been sucked out by the lake. The Commis-
sioners had not only to protect and refill the drive along its entire
extent, from year to year, but on several occasions were oblio-ed to
extend the protection south from Oak Street, because the lake had a
habit of washing around the end of the breakwater and sweeping over
Pine Street, south of Oak Street, and washing it away. In 187; the
breakwater was extended to Walton Place, and a box pier erected there
The construction of the drive and breakwater left laro- e ponds of
stagnant water west of it, and in 1877 vigorous protests were made by
the Citizens' Union against the "nuisance" between North Avenue
and Oak Street. Measurements and soundings, taken in that year by
the Park engineer, show that over seven acres of land between North
Avenue and Schiller Street was covered with 7,600,000 gallons and
that 40,000 yards of filling was required. There was another pond two
acres in extent, between Schiller and Division streets, and another two
and one-half acres in extent between Division and Oak streets the
water ,n all of them being in places over six feet deep. In spite of
the protests, the ponds remained until 1882, before they were filled up
by their owners; and in that year there was a serious break in the
piling north of Oak Street, the result of dredging sand too near the
breakwater, and several hundred feet of the drive itself were under water
After the construction of the sea-wall, from 1S86 to 1888 the drive
was refilled to grade from the breakwater to its west line, a large
amount of filling being necessary. A wooden sidewalk was con-
structed ins.de the sea-wall for its entire extent, and the rest of the
new-made land improved in lawns. The piling under the sea-wall
had been lined with great quantities of cedar bark, held in place by
thousands of tons of stone, and it was believed no more filling would
be l^t but the result sadly disappointed such hopeful anticipations
Of the first cost of the improvement only $90,000 was borne by
the property owners benefited, and of this assessment two-thirds was
used for the purchase of the right of way through the lake. In 1884
the property owners along the drive paid a voluntary assessment
amounting to $ l6 ,ooo to defray the cost of laying a stone sidewalk-
ten feet wide along the west line of the drive, laying out a grass plat
east f the sidewalk, and moving the roadway twenty feet farther east
With these exceptions, the entire cost of the drive and its maintenance
to the present day has been borne by the tax-payers of North Chicago
Attempts were made by the Commissioners in 1896 and 1897 to
levy an assessment on property fronting the drive for the reconstruc-
tion of the pavement. But many of the property owners, in surren-
dering the.r riparian rights and deeding land for the right of way of
the drive, had stipulated that it should be maintained forever without
cost to them, and because of their bitter opposition the attempt to
levy the assessment was defeated.
Of the total disbursements for the construction and maintenance
of the drive to date, $418,640.57, the sum of $89,818.85 was realized
from the special assessment for the right of way, $16,963 paid by the
property owners as a voluntary contribution for certain improve-
ments, and the rest, $311,858.72, was appropriated from the general
fund. Following is a summary of the disbursements:
Original breakwater- -. Q
Supplies for breakwater repairs-!: "" 5 ''!,^5
High breakwater, Burton Place to North Avenue--":: " 16867'w
bea-wall _ - ' u,ou 'o°
Sea-wall repairs-.::: '" 8 S%? 2
Dredging and filling " oi',o,'$?
Right of way. " 86.781.65
56,262.07
16,400.95
- 13,344.66
- 74,312.22
Roadbed -
Stone sidewalks . - -
Labor and sundry supplies.
S418.640.57
ANIMAL DEPARTMENT
The zoological collection of Lin-
coln Park is one of its most venerable
institutions, dating from the summer
of 1868, when two pairs of swans
from Central Park, New York, were
placed on one of the small ponds,
where they and their progeny thrived
and multiplied for years. In the following year, according
to the report of the Board of Public Works, numerous rare
and interesting animals were donated to the Park, and on
July 1, 1873, when the care of the improved part of Lincoln
Park was transferred from the city to the Commissioners,
an inventory of the assets of the department showed the fol-
lowing animals and birds:
2 Buffaloes.
8 Peacocks.
2 Elks.
12 Ducks.
13 Swans.
6 Wild geese
2 China geese.
4 Guinea pigs.
2 Prairie dogs.
3 Foxes.
3 Wolves.
2 Rabbits.
2 Turtle-doves.
5 Deer.
1 Bear.
2 Squirrels.
1 Catamount.
4 Eagles.
1 Owl.
Up to that time the records had shown no expenditure for the purchase
animals, and under the rule of the Commissioners it was many years before
any considerable amount was paid for additions. Donations of greater or less
value were frequently made, and all that devolved upon the Park was to pay
e freight or express charges when the gifts came from a distance. The first
item of this character was the payment of $9.85 on March 4, 1874, the freight
charge on an elk. The first animal bought for the Park was a bear cub, which
entered the collection on June 1, 1874, in exchange for JSio.
In 1874 a number of animals from a traveling- circus
were loaned to the Park for their care, including the first
lion that ever took up its residence in Lincoln Park; and
the second purchase of animals made by the Commis-
sioners was that of a part of this collection, in March
1877, when two bears, two peafowl, a kangaroo, a condor,
and a goat were bought for S275.
While constantly indebted to the owners of pet ani-
mals for additions to their collection, the Commissioners
were not always the recipients of gifts, for from their surplus stock of
birds, swans, wild geese, and ducks were frequently given to other parks
and public institutions in Chicago and elsewhere, the first such donation
recorded being that of a pair of swans and a pair of geese given to the
West Chicago Park Commissioners for "Central," now Garfield Park, in
1874. In 1875 tne city offered to present the animal collection in Union
Park, including some wolves and eagles, to Lincoln Park, but the gift was
declined because of lack of accommodations.
In 1877 the deer-paddock was enlarged to include the southern half
of the present floral garden; and in that year the Superintendent recom-
mended the improvement of the animal quarters, and reported that a
society could be formed to take care of the animals, put up buildings, and increase the
collection for the privilege of charging a small admission fee, to be divided with the Com-
missioners. In 187S a definite proposal of that kind was made by the owners of a collection
of tropical animals valued at Si 8,000, but the Commissioners laid down the rule, which
has always been adhered to, that whatever the animal collection in Lincoln Park might be,
it should always be free to the public.
In 1878 some fears were entertained that the wooden cage in which the only bear in
the collection was imprisoned was too insecure for safety, and the construction of the bear-
pits was begun in November, and practically completed in the following spring, according to
the belief of the architect. The bear was then turned into its new quarters, and in no long
time other bears were there to keep him company; but it was soon found that the chief and original ob-
ject of the construction of the pits — security — had not been obtained. The bears became expert at climbing
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
up the rough, rocky sides of their dens, and in
time it was their almost nightly practice to
escape and roam around the Park. They were
sometimes found in the trees about the Park, and
sometimes in winter out on the ice of the lake,
headed for the Michigan shore, and they had to
be corralled, coaxed, and cajoled by the entire
force of Park employes to return to their official
quarters.
One of them struck out for the business center, and was gettino-
along nicely until, in clambering over a ridge at the south end of the
Mall, it fell through the top of an old cemetery vault, and was kept a
prisoner there until its recapture. Another, a grizzly, wandered down
the Pine Street Drive, and took refuge from pursuers in a tall elm
tree near Oak Street. A Park policeman, who had brought up the
rear of the chase, was stationed at the foot of the tree to keep the
bear from coming down until the next morning, and there is a tradi-
tion, though it cannot be verified, that he resigned his position on the
spot. There is no record or recollection of any damage to persons or
to property, except to the flower-beds, from these excursions; but in
18S0 it was thought best to curb the roving inclinations of the bears
by fastening curved iron bars near the top of the dens, and since then
the bears have been kept securely at home. In 1879, 1880, and 188 1
the wolf and fox dens, prairie-dog pit, coon cage, otter pit, squirrel
cages, sparrow cages, and sea-lion pits were constructed, and room
for a considerable increase in the animal collection thereby provided.
From the first of this period investments in animals became more
frequent, one of the most important purchases being that of a pair of
sea-lions in December, 1879. The propagation of sea-lions being a
new enterprise, one of the Commissioners and the Superintendent
were sent on a mission to Cincinnati to secure the necessary instruc-
tions.
In October, 1 88 1, a number of citizens exercised the right of peti-
tion to express their approval and appreciation of the exhibition of
wild animals and birds in the Park, and their regret at-hearing that
some of the animals had been sold and removed, and they requested
that no more sales be made, but that the stock be increased, and par-
ticularly that two African lions, then in the Park as a loan exhibit, be
purchased. In 1882 the buffaloes tired of captivity and died, and
another pair were imported from the Western plains to take their
places. Two years later the buffalo collection was enlarged by the
82
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
first buffalo ever born in the Park, and also, as was con-
fidently claimed at the time, the first buffalo ever born
in captivity. In 1884 a pair of polar bears were pur-
chased, and they still live to testify their appreciation
of the healthful climate of Chicago. In the follow-
ing year the West Park Commissioners decided to go
out of the animal business, and a bear and some eagles
were brought from Union Park. It was not until 1888
that the South Park Commissioners retired from
competition and donated their collection to Lincoln
Park.
In 1880 the deer were crowded out of their pad-
dock in the floral garden, and part of the space now
occupied by the buffalo and elk herds was enclosed
and divided between them. In 1884 increases in the
herds made it necessary to enlarge their quarters, and a small wooden house was
built for the buffalo.
In 1887, with the construction of the new brick pumping station, the old frame
building was moved into the buffalo-yard to provide larger quarters for the growing-
herd, and the old buffalo-house assigned to the elks.
In 1888 a fine royal Bengal tiger was left with the Park by a showman for its keeping.
There was no room or safe place for it in the animal-house, and winter quarters were provided
for it in an annex to the greenhouse. This necessity called attention anew to the increase in
the size of the animal collection, and in its value as a public attraction, and in 1SS9 the brick
and stone animal-house still in use as the winter quarters for tropical animals, was constructed.
The old animal-house, which had dated from 1870, being reduced from its proud estate, was
sold, and has since served as a bathing pavilion north of Diversey Boulevard.
In this year also a pair of tigers, a camel, a llama, a lion, an elephant, a zebu, an ibex, a
bear, and a pair of leopards were bought from Barnum & Bailey for S3, 000.
For several years it was customary when taking the elephant "Duchess" from the animal-
house to her summer quarters, near the buffalo-yard, to drive her with a free rein, with the
assistance of an elephant-hook. On one occasion, in 1S91, however, the "Duchess"
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
83
a fancy for a longer excursion, and started on a jaunt westward
through and over the channel, across the flower-beds, to the serious
damage thereof, and through and over fences, yards, and buildings.
A summer-house on North Park Avenue was carried away on her
shoulders, the gate of a near-by brewery torn from its hinges, and
other expensive pranks committed before the "Duchess" at last
allowed herself to be caught with a rope and lassoed to a telegraph
pole until her good nature returned. She was finally restored to her
quarters in the Park, and ever since she has been led to and fro on
her short and infrequent rambles by a stout iron cable securely fas-
tened around one of her ponderous feet.
Another purchase in 1SS9 was that of a cargo of eighteen sea-lions,
which were imported from the Pacific Coast, and installed in a large
pit, which was being prepared for their reception. The iron fence
surrounding it was not finished, and some of the lions broke out.
Two of them waddled across the Park, across Clark Street, and into a
restaurant, where they occasioned much excitement, the employes
taking to the tables in undisguised alarm. These and others, which
were content to roam about the Park, were driven back to their pond,
but one which had sniffed Lake Michigan made straight for it and
plunged in. It was heard of later off the Milwaukee coast, but never
came back to Lincoln Park. Its departure, the sale of some of the
cargo, and the deaths within a year or two of the rest, caused great
delight to the residents of North Park Avenue, fronting the Park,
whose interest in natural history had not been strong enough to
make them submit amiably to being kept awake at nights. In 1S90
they had submitted a petition for the removal of the sea-lions, wolves,
and foxes, and the petition was subsequently granted as far as the
sea-lions were concerned, in the manner stated.
No further important purchases of animals were made, except that
of a buffalo bull, for S500, in 1891, to replace "Bill," the old buffalo
that died that year, until in 1896 a Bengal tiger, a pair of hyenas,
8 4
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
thirteen mon-
keys, and some
birds were pur-
chased for 352,-
ooo. This was
the first time
the mo n ke y
f a m i 1 v h a d
been repre-
sented in the
Park collec-
tion, and an
enclosed glass cage specially ventilated was constructed for them in
the animal-house. During this year the buffalo herd was depleted by
the sale of two buffaloes and ten cows for $3,500.
In 1S94 the question of building a much larger animal-house,
combined with an aquarium, was considered by the Commissioners,'
and plans for a structure whose estimated cost was £75,000 were
adopted. The price proved to be prohibitive, however, and the pur-
chase of the plans was as far as the investment went. In 1X95 the
eagle-cage was erected, and no further extensions were made in the
department until those recorded in the report of the year just closed.
In view of the number of dangerous animals in the collection, and
tne fact that for a number of years the tropical animals were moved
from then- summer to their winter quarters and back again every spring
and fall m a small wooden cage, the care of the collection has been
singularly free from accidents. In 1S91 a workman was gored in the
hand by a deer, which was killed in being driven from its victim In
1893 a man was bitten by a wolf which had jumped out of its den but
was recaptured. In 1897 a hyena broke out of its den, and was
responsible for many cases of fright, but for no injury, until it was
killed some time later near Altenheim.
The total amount paid for
animals during the entire
period ending March 31,
1899, was 517,019. 80, while
88,656.82 was realized by the
sale of surplus stock. The
following is a summary of
the expenditures of the de-
partment:
Animals -. $17,019.80
Buildings
and en-
closures- 45,508.10
Feed 64, 739.84
Labor and
supplies 79,657.67
8206,029.4 1
^'w\Wy
FLORAL DEPARTMENT
No provision was ever. made by the city during its control
of the old Park forthe planting of flowers. The problem of
raising grass on the sandy soil of the original Lincoln Park
was sufficiently difficult without the introduction of any purely
decorative feature. The first expenditure ever made for floral
decoration in Lincoln Park was authorized in June, 1874, by
the appropriation of $100 for the purchase of flowers and
plants. On October 27 the first gardener was appointed, and
in November S500 was appropriated to build and stock a
greenhouse. This modest prototype of the splendid conser-
vatories of to-day was built in an out-of-the-way and unim-
proved section of the Park, near the present site of the
engine-house, and was little more than a few hot-beds made of
window-sashes. In the two years following small flower-beds
were planted in different parts of the Park and along the Pine
Street Drive; but in 1877 the Commissioners concluded that a
more striking effect could be obtained by massing the flower-
beds together. The plan offered the additional advantage of
making it easier for the limited police force to protect the
flowers from souvenir collectors. The northern half of the
grounds now devoted to the floral garden was set apart for
that purpose in 1877, and four greenhouses sixty feet long
were built just south of the site of the present palm-house.
So great was the popularity of the floral garden, that in the
following year extensions were built to the greenhouses, and
in October a large quantity of bulbs were imported from
Holland. A few months later the head gardener went to
Washington and secured a number of choice plants from
86
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
the Smithsonian Institution. In 1S79 a considerable extension was
built to the greenhouses for the exhibition of palms and other tropical
plants. The growth of the collection of flowers and plants, and the
evident interest of the public in the outdoor decorations, made fre-
quent extensions to the greenhouses necessary. In 1879 over 100,000
plants were set out in the Park, and in 18S1 the deer-paddock, which
occupied the southern half of the flower-garden, extending west to
the Stockton Drive, was added to the space devoted to floral display.
In this year several greenhouses were blown down in a severe storm.
In 1889 an unused ravine was transformed into a lily-pond, artificially
heated for the growth of exotic water-lilies, and so popular was the
innovation that in the following year two more lilv-ponds were con-
structed north of the Ramble Drive. The fame of the rich growth of
tropical lilies in these ponds has spread far beyond the limits of Chi-
cago, and in 1897 a request came to the Commissioners from the
financial adviser of the Khedive of Egypt for seeds of the Lincoln
Park lilies, some of which had been imported from Egypt. By 1889
the floral department had grown to such proportions, and the old
greenhouses with their rambling additions were so poorly fitted for
the display of the floral life of the Park and the convenience of
visitors, that the Commissioners determined upon extensive improve-
ments. Plans were prepared for the construction of the present palm-
house, conservatories, fernery, and propagating house, and work was
begun on the propagating house at once. It was finished in 1890, the
palm-house was completed in 1S92, and the fernery in 1895, tne t° taI
cost of their construction being over Si 00,000. Stocked with rare
plants, and constantly supplied with flowers blooming in their season,
they form a continual attraction for hosts of admiring visitors. A
quarter of a million plants are needed annually for outdoor decoration
in the Park; the extensive propagating houses built in 1890 are already
insufficient to supply the demand, and their reconstruction and
enlargement are now under way.
Carl J. Stromback, the head gardener, who was first employed in
Lincoln Park in 1870, has had entire charge of the floral department
for many years. The total expenditures in the department to March
31, 1899, wer e $372,445.88.
&_\\&. KonaVe-r
■UWliTc^ZcD.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
The gray-coated officers of the Lincoln Park police
force, who preserve order in the Park and on the boule-
vards, make a picturesque as well as a necessary institution,
which has grown with the growth of the Park. For the
first three years of their rule, the Commissioners relied upon
the city police for what protection might be necessary on
the Lake Shore Drive and elsewhere outside of the old Park.
It was not until August 2, 1872, that the Park force was
organized, with a sergeant and three officers. When con-
trol of the old Park was relinquished in 1873 by the city, the Park force was increased to
seven men. For a number of years there was small need of policemen in the winter months,
and to keep the force intact and save useless expense, the officers were allowed to lay aside
their uniforms and serve the Park in the winter as carpenters. With the growth of the Park and
the extension of Park control to many boulevards, additions to the force have from time to time been
necessary, and under the present administration it has varied from twenty-three men in the winter
months to twenty : six men in the summer, a third of the men being stationed on the boulevards.
Owing to the uniform good behavior of visitors to the Park, the duties of the officers in the matter
of making arrests for violations of Park ordinances are not burdensome, the total number of arrests in
the fiscal year just closed being 132.
Bicycles having become an established and recognized institution, half of the officers, including
nearly all those stationed on the boulevards, patrol their respective beats on wheels.
The Park police are under the immediate supervision of Captain Richard DeShon, who entered the
service in August, 1873, and has been in the department continuously since that time, except for
one period of four years. Among the important duties of the members of the force are those of assist-
ing visitors to the Park to find their various destinations, protecting flowers, birds, and squirrels from
the assaults of small boys, regulating the speed of bicycles on the boulevards and drives, and
looking after the interests of lost babies.
The total expenditures charged to the account of the police department have been 534^,266.60.
OHIO STREET EXTENSION
This improvement, involving the reclamation of two hundred acres
of land from the lake for the benefit of private owners, in return for
the construction of a boulevard for Lincoln Park, was first suggested
on April 27, 1886, when H. I. Sheldon, representing Ogden, Sheldon
& Co., large owners of property on the lake shore south of Chicago
Avenue, proposed to the Commissioners the extension of the Lake
Shore Drive south of Pearson Street. The proposition was filed at
the time, but negotiations were renewed at intervals during the suc-
ceeding years, and in 1 888 and 1889 frequent conferences were held
by the Commissioners with the shore owners, with the result that
united action was determined upon to secure from the Legislature the
passage of a bill which would enable the Commissioners to construct
a boulevard from Oak Street to Ohio Street, on a line one thousand feet
more or less from the existing shore line, on money to be furnished
by the shore owners, in return for which the latter were to be allowed
to fill in the intervening space and receive deeds to the reclaimed
land from the Commissioners, giving in return quitclaim deeds for
their riparian rights. Such a bill was passed June 4, 1889, on the same
day that the law under which the North Shore Drive was built was
enacted, and contracts were entered into on June 22, 1891, between
the shore owners and the Commissioners, under which the land has
all been filled in, a breakwater constructed from Indiana Street to Oak
Street, and a large part of the work of constructing the boulevard
completed. The boulevard, which is 202 feet wide, is completed
from Ohio Street to Delaware Place, except for the top dressing of
the macadam roadway and of the bicycle-path. The improvement
includes a granite-paved beach 48 feet in width, similar to that con-
structed north of North Avenue, a parapet and broad stone sidewalk
25 feet wide, a 27-foot bicycle-path, a 50-foot roadway, a 15-foot
bridle-path, and broad stretches of lawn, with double rows of elm
trees on either side of the roadway. The shore owners agreed under
their contract to construct the breakwater under supervision of the
Commissioners, fill the boulevard to within one foot of grade, and pay
to the Commissioners $100 a front foot, amounting to $360, 000 for
the completion of the improvement. The contracts called for the
boulevarding of Ohio Street from Pine Street to the new drive, the
extension of the boulevard on the lake shore from Ohio Street to
Indiana Street having been an afterthought. The Park Commissioners
agreed to construct a breakwater from the northern terminus of the
new work in a curved line to the old Lake Shore Drive at Bellevue
Place, a distance of 1,400 feet; fill in and improve as a park the space
between the breakwater and Oak Street extended, about 5 acres;
continue the paved beach, drive, sidewalk, and other improvements
of the boulevard along the breakwater; fill in and improve as a park
the space between the city waterworks property and the new boule-
vard, called Chicago Avenue Park; and pay one-half of the cost of
improving Oak Street, Chicago Avenue, and Pearson Street where
they front on Park property. The estimated cost of this improve-
ment, which will add to Lincoln Park about fifteen acres of land, is
Si 85,000. No means were provided in the contract by which the
Commissioners could secure funds for carrying on the work except
from general taxation, but because of a deviation in the line of the
breakwater from that adopted as the route of the drive by the Com-
missioners, said deviation increasing the extent of the land reclaimed,
the shore owners who profited by the enlargement have been required
by decree of court to pay $25,000 to the Commissioners for the con-
struction of the breakwater north of Oak Street.
The contracts contemplated the prompt payment of the voluntary
J vwtoV^ IfioV- Cv\^Yt
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
assessments of the shore owners, and the completion of the boulevards
and the park north of Oak Street by May I, 1893; but the time was
extended by tacit agreement because of numerous lawsuits, and the
work of constructing- the boulevard was not begun until the summer
of 1S96. The Attorney-General of the State had instituted suit to
declare the law under which the extension was made invalid and
unconstitutional, abrogate the contracts between the Commissioners
and shore owners, and restore the reclaimed land to its original con-
dition as a part of the harbor of Chicago. Suit was also°begun in
May, 1S94, by the Chicago Title and Trust Company, the assignee of
various shore owners, to compel the specific performance of the con-
tracts between the Commissioners and such owners, and the City of
Chicago laid claim to the land east of its property. The Commission-
ers filed answers denying the rights of the various petitioners to the
relief prayed, and filed a cross-bill, upon which the court found that
the shore owners should give compensation to the Commissioners for
the extra land reclaimed, construed the contracts as not forbidding a
special assessment upon the newly made land for the maintenance°of
the boulevard, and declared the title to the block of reclaimed land
east of the waterworks to be in the Park Commissioners for the pur-
poses of a public park. The opinion of the Attorney-General and
the bill of the Chicago Title and Trust Company were dismissed, but
appeals were taken by the Attorney-General and the City of Chicago
as the result of which the legality of the contracts and the rights of
the Commissioners as laid down in the decision were confirmed by
the Supreme Court. Among other litigation in connection with the
Ohio Street Extension improvement, the Commissioners or shore own-
ers have had to contest the claims of the picturesque George W
Streeter to more or less of the reclaimed lands by virtue of squatter
rights alleged to have been acquired through the agency of a scow
wrecked on the beach. More serious efforts to get possession of the
property were made in 1896, when it was found that the United States
Land Commissioner was having the land occupied bv the boulevard
and other made lands surveyed, under a claim that they were subject
to entry by persons holding land scrip of the United States, and that
there was danger that patents would be issued. In November the
attorney of the Commissioners appeared before the Land Commis-
sioner at Washington to argue against an atte.npt to locate McKee
scrip on land east of the government survey line of 1821, which was,
roughly stated, about two hundred feet east of North State Street.
Commissioner Lamoreaux authorized the holders of the scrip to
locate on the lands in question, but his decision was afterward revoked
by the Secretary of the Interior. The holders of the scrip have
brought suit in the United States Circuit Court in Chicago to enforce
their alleged rights to take possession of these lands under the deci-
sion of the Land Commissioner, in spite of its subsequent revocation,
and this suit is now pending. The Commissioners are still engaged
also in contesting the suit of Major William L. Marshall for royal-
ties on the combined beach and breakwater used on the improve-
ment.
NORTH SHORE DRIVE
Early in 1874 the owners of the shore lands north of the Park
sought to obtain the construction of a drive along the lake, and held
frequent meetings to decide upon the route. In 1875 the Commis-
sioners lent their encouragement to the idea by passing orders and
resolutions calling upon the proper officials of the town of Lake View
to secure the condemnation of land for a drive from the north boun-
dary of the Park to the north line of Devon Avenue, a distance of five
miles. The Lake View authorities took the necessary action on Jan-
uary 4, 1876, but the ambitious scheme was defeated by the opposition
of the majority of the property owners. The plan lay dormant until
ten years later. In August, 1886, it was revived on a more modest
scale by some of the owners of the shore lands between Belmont
Avenue and Byron Street, who petitioned the Commissioners for the
construction of a drive along the lake between those points. Lake
View Avenue had not then been opened from George Street to Bel-
mont Avenue, and the Commissioners declined to consider the propo-
sition until it should be opened and a continuous drive made possible-
This street was opened and accepted by the Commissioners as a boule-
vard on Jul)' 3, 1888; and on February 5, 1889, a petition from the
property owners, proposing a route and plan for the North Shore
Drive, was presented, and an order for the improvement and for
authority from the town of Lake View to condemn land was passed.
It was found that the law authorizing the construction of boulevards
was inadequate; and on July 4, 1889, the Legislature passed an act
under which it was possible to condemn the land for the proposed
drive, and levy a special assessment on property to be benefited to
raise funds for its construction. On July 30 a new route for the drive
was adopted, and on April 26, 1890, still another change of route was
proposed, and a new order for the construction of the drive was
adopted. Authority for the improvement was granted by the town
officers of Lake View, on a petition of the owners of the majority of
the frontage of the proposed drive, and the special assessment was
confirmed, although some of the property owners took the case to the
Supreme Court, and one is still contesting. The assessment was based
on the estimate of the Park engineer that the drive would cost
$332,503.15. Nearly all of this sum has been paid in, and the work
completed, except for the construction of a sidewalk on the west line
of the drive.
The North Shore Drive is 125 feet wide, and the improvement
includes a breakwater along the entire front, from Belmont Avenue to
Byron Street, a plank sidewalk 20 feet wide, directly west of the
breakwater, with a parapet of wooden benches, a bicycle-path 20 feet
wide, a 10-foot bridle-path, a grass plat, with row of trees, 8 feet wide, a
4 5 -foot roadway, another parkway 10 feet wide, with a row of trees
and a 12-foot sidewalk. This improvement, except for the west side-
walk, was all completed in 1896 but the bicycle-path from Cornelia
Street to Grace Street, which was finished in 1897.
The violent storms of October, 1898, which damaged the shore
protection along the entire Park front, destroyed the wooden parapet
from Belmont Avenue to Cornelia Street, and washed out the top
dressing of the bicycle-path, the force of the waves being so great that
pieces of the wooden benches were hurled a distance of fifty to one
hundred feet across the driveway. The repairs necessary to replace
the parapet, seats, and bicycle-path are estimated to be less than
$3,000; but the fact that the sand filling under the plank sidewalk,
next the breakwater, has sunk in man)' places, gives rise to the fear
that the breakwater is weakening.
The riparian rights were secured from the shore owners along the
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
95
drive for some 1,500 or 2,000 feet, but many owners refused to sur-
render said rights, and in March, 1S94, one of them, George H. Rozet,
began the construction of a pier opposite Cornelia Street, at right
angles to the breakwater and attached to it, for the purpose of form-
ing land. On March 19 the contractor was arrested for trespass, after
some thirty feet of pier had been completed, and that night, under
advice of the attorney of the Board, and under direction of the Super-
intendent, the pier was blown up with dynamite and entirely destroyed.
The Commissioners were victorious in the litigation resulting from
this action, and there have been no subsequent attempts by the prop-
erty owners to acquire building lots east of the Drive.
Following is a summary of the expenditures to date on the con-
struction of the drive:
Right of way §27,559.06
Legal expenses 8,720.95
Breakwater 124,965.06
Filling 51,994.80
Construction 11 8,878.64
8332,1 19.41
RECEIPTS.
Net proceeds of special assessment 8319,666.19
Additional payments by property owners 662.56
Appropriated from General Fund in 1894, to repair damage
to breakwater by storms 10,000.00
Advanced from General Fund in 1898 1,790.66
8332,119.41
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Lincoln E^rk,
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43 SpAMi&H CANNON
■■■■■I
BOULEVARDS
An important part of the Lincoln Park system are its boulevards.
Authority for the construction of driveways leading to the Park was
given in the act of 1 87 1, but it was not until April 9, 1879, that the
Legislature passed an act giving to Boards of Park Commissioners the
power to take and control any street connecting with a park or with
any park boulevard, on the consent of the owners of the majority of
the frontage of lands on such streets, and the consent of the corporate
authorities having control of it. The first street accepted by the
Commissioners of Lincoln Park as a boulevard under this act was
that part of Lake View Avenue from the north line of Lincoln Park
at Diversey Street to George Street, beyond which it was not then
opened. Its control was surrendered by the town of Lake View by
an ordinance approved February 20, 1882, and accepted by the Com-
missioners March 7, following. On March 5, 1888, control of that
part of Lake View Avenue from George Street to Belmont Avenue
was offered to the Commissioners by the City Council of Lake View,
and accepted on July 30.
The second acquisition of a ready-made boulevard was made on
May 17, 1884, when that part of Pine Street between the south line
of Pearson Street and the north line of Oak Street was accepted from
the City Council, and its name changed to Lincoln Park Boulevard.
Proceedings were at once begun by the Commissioners to widen the
boulevard fifty feet on the east side, and the consent of the authorities
of North Chicago for a special assessment for that purpose was secured,
but the opposition of the property owners who were to be assessed
defeated the project. Frequently in the following years the attempt
to widen Pine Street was repeated, only to be abandoned again; and
efforts were also made to extend the Lake Shore Drive from Oak
Street to Pearson Street, at a distance of 400 feet east of Pine Street.
This project also had to be abandoned, but in 1892 proceedings for
special assessments for the condemnation of a strip of land 50 feet
wide along the east line of the boulevard, and for the paving of the
street, was successfully instituted, and the work was completed in
1896.
Pine Street, from Ohio Street to Chicago Avenue, was tendered as
a boulevard by a city ordinance on Januar)' 4, 1 897, and was accepted by
the Commissioners March 9, 1897, making a continuous boulevard from
Ohio Street to North Avenue, except for the block between Chicago
Avenue and Pearson Street, through the city waterworks property,
which is still controlled by the city, but was paved by the Commis-
sioners in 1895.
North Avenue from Clark Street to the Lake Shore Drive was
surrendered by the city by ordinance of September 28, 18S5, and
accepted by the Commissioners January 5, 1886.
North Park Avenue from Clark Street to Fullerton Avenue
became a Park boulevard August 18, 1886.
As early as February, 1881, conferences had been held by the
Commissioners with the West Chicago Park Commissioners, to arrange,
if possible, for a boulevard connection between Humboldt and Lin-
coln parks. Nothing practical came of the negotiations, and the first
small step toward securing such a connecting boulevard was taken on
June 7, 1887, when that part of Diverse}' avenue between Clark
Street and Lake Michigan was accepted as a boulevard by virtue of an
ordinance passed by the City Council of Lake View on May 2. On
September 21, 1 891, the City Council passed an ordinance, surrender-
ing control of Diversey Avenue from Clark Street to the river, and
the Commissioners voted to accept it on condition that the city should
first pave and improve it, a condition that was not fulfilled. On Juiy
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
14, 1895, a new ordinance was passed by the city, tendering the street
to the Commissioners, who rejected it on March 18, because of the
impossibility, under existing laws, of collecting enough money to
maintain the street in proper style. On April 1 they accepted the
street, "with the understanding that no money is in sight to improve
and maintain the same."
On [uly 6, 1 89 1, that part of Fullerton Avenue from the east line
of Clark Street to North Park Avenue was tendered to the Commis-
sioners as a boulevard by the City Council, and its control was
accepted by an order entered of record on July 14.
That section of Fullerton Avenue between Clark Street and
Orchard Street was accepted as a boulevard March 27, 1893.
That part of Bvron Street between the lake and Sheffield Avenue,
and Sheffield Avenue from Byron Street to North Fifty-ninth Street,
were offered to the Commissioners by the city, through an ordinance
passed January 11, 1892, which gave the name of Sheridan Road to
the two streets. The ordinance was not accepted at that time, and its
control was offered again by a new ordinance passed by the City
Council May 3, 1893, and on July 26 of that year it was accepted by
the Commissioners. On May 6, 1895, the Commissioners gave the
name of Sheridan Road to the continuous boulevard running from
Diversey Avenue to North 59th Street, made up of parts of Lake
View Avenue, the North Shore Drive, Byron Street, and Sheffield
Avenue.
On October 21, 1895, Dearborn Avenue, from Burton Place to
North Avenue, was accepted as a boulevard, its control having first
been tendered to the Commissioners by order of the City Council.
Garfield Avenue, from North Clark Street to North Park Avenue,
was accepted as a boulevard December 7, 1896, by virtue of a city
ordinance passed November 28. Those parts of Webster Avenue and
Belden Avenue between Clark Street and North Park Avenue had
been turned over to the Commissioners by the City Council, by ordi-
nance passed at the same time, but their control has not yet been
accepted.
By the act of April 9, 1879, Park Commissioners were authorized to
levy taxes or special assessments for the improvement of streets which
might be accepted as boulevards, but not for their subsequent repair.
The act was amended June 27, 1885, so as to allow assessments for
subsequent repairs for boulevards, but it was again amended by act of
June 16, 1887, so as to prohibit such assessments. When Pine Street
from Oak Street to Pearson Street was accepted as a boulevard, in
1884, Commissioner Stockton voted for the acceptance on condition
that the property owners maintain the boulevard. The condition was
not enforced, and it was not until the acceptance of Diversey Boule-
vard from Clark Street to the lake, in 1887, that a preliminary agree-
ment was made with the property owners on the boulevard that they
should pay a certain amount annually for its maintenance. Subse-
quently boulevards were accepted without such provisions, but since
1895 't ' las been a condition precedent for the acceptance of any city
streets as boulevards, Dearborn Avenue, Pine Street, south of Chicago
Avenue, and Garfield Avenue coming into the Lincoln Park system
on such terms.
The cost of maintaining boulevards is considerable when they are
policed, kept in repair, cleaned, and sprinkled; and the Commissioners
have felt that such charges should be met by the property owners on
the boulevards, rather than by the tax-payers of the entire park dis-
trict.
The erection of buildings on all park boulevards is controlled by
a building ordinance, adopted by the Commissioners on April 1,
1895.
~§>\s\}c\_c ^x^ax-uA.s>
SUBMERGED LANDS
Control of the submerged land- along the Park front was sought by
the Commissioners for years before the Legislature was willing to
grant it. The idea that the submerged lands of Lake Michigan
belonged to the people of the State, and not to the shore owners, to
the extent of their ability-, by artificial means, to reclaim said land,
was of slow growth. If laws enacted by the Legislature in 1893 and
1895 had been placed on the statute books thirty years earlier, nearly
$200,000, which had to be paid for the made land in the Farwell tract
and for the right-of-way for the Pine Street Drive, would have been
saved to the tax-payers of the Lincoln Park district. The necessity of
having the ownership or control of submerged lands along the Park
front was first impressed upon the Commissioners by the operations of
sand dredgers, who were accustomed to come close into shore where
the water was shallowest. The effect was to weaken the breakwater
structures along the shore; and in 1885 a resolution was adopted, call-
ing upon the Governor and the Attorney-General of the State to
prevent dredging near the shore. Action was taken by the Attorney-
General, in response to the request; but the Legislature, in the same
year, refused to pass a bill which had been prepared, granting to the
Commissioners control of the bed of the lake from Diversey Avenue
to Oak Street to a point 1,200 feet from the shore. After that
the sand dredgers were undisturbed until June 4, 1889, when an act
was passed, giving to the Commissioners of Lincoln Park all the
right, title, and interest of the State in the bed of Lake Michigan for
a distance of fifty feet east of any breakwater protecting the driveway,
and gave police control over the waters of the lake for 250 feet east
of such breakwater, providing that sand could only be taken there-
from by their permission.
A much more sweeping act was passed on June 17, 1893, provid-
ing for the enlargement of Lincoln Park by reclaiming submerged
lands along the entire lake front in the district under the control of
the Commissioners, the riparian rights of shore owners to be pur-
chased by agreement or by condemnation. On June 15, 1895, another
act was passed and approved, granting to the Commissioners of Lin-
coln Park the power to reclaim submerged lands under public waters
of the State to the point of navigable water, by the simple process of
adopting a plan locating a boulevard or driveway over and upon the
bed of such public waters, its outer line to be the limit of the lands
to be reclaimed, and its termini to be within the territory taxable for
the maintenance of the Park. The title for all the submerged lands
covered by such plan was vested in the Park Commissioners in fee-
simple for Park purposes, and the act provided for the raising of
money to carry out such improvement by the issue of town bonds and
special assessments upon property benefited.
Under these acts, the submerged lands from Diversey Avenue to
Belmont Avenue, and from Byron Avenue to Devon Avenue, in the
town of Lake View, were claimed for Park purposes to an average
distance of 1,200 feet east of the shore line, and an ordinance passed
against the encroachments on the lake by the shore owners. Various
petitions were submitted to the town authorities of Lake View for the
issue of bonds and the levying of special assessments to carry out
such enlargement of the Park, but owing to the great cost of such an
improvement, the necessary consent of the town authorities was not
given.
The Commissioners, however, have vindicated their title to all
submerged lands included in the plans adopted by them, and in
numerous lawsuits have prevented the shore owners from building
piers to increase their holdings by artificial means.
MONUMENTS
There are in Lincoln Park many notable monuments and statues,
and some beautiful fountains, nearly all of which have been the gifts
of private individuals, whose benefactions to the public, for some
occult reason, have always taken the one form or the other.
Perhaps the most imposing is the Grant Monument, the great
equestrian statue in enduring bronze of the glorious chieftain, mounted
upon a massive granite foundation and pedestal, which stands just west
of the old Lake Shore Drive, in a commanding position, overlooking
the lake on one side and the Park on the other. Soon after the
death of General Grant, in 1885, a popular subscription was started to
secure funds for the erection of a monument to the dead leader in
Lincoln Park, and nearly 100,000 people aided in the enterprise.
The following year the foundation and pedestal were erected. On
the 7th of October, 1891, the statue, the work of L. T. Rebisso, and
the largest ever cast in the country, was unveiled in the presence of
the greatest congregation of people that had ever gathered in the citv
up to that time. The demonstration was sufficiently imposing to
measure the devotion paid by the people to the name of Grant. The
ceremonies were held under the auspices of the Army of the Tennes-
see, which was holding its annual reunion at the time. The proces-
sion was marshaled by Major-General Nelson A. Miles, and Mrs.
Grant and many distinguished people in civil and military life were
present.
For many reasons even more entitled to first place in any mention
of the statues of Lincoln Park, is the Lincoln Monument, which stands
near the southern line of the Park, facing the broad driveway from
Dearborn Avenue Boulevard. The statue, a colossal figure in bronze,
standing in an attitude of meditation, advanced a step before a great
bronze chair, is the work of Augustus St. Gaudens, and is considered by
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A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
connoisseurs the finest speci-
men of portrait sculpture
in America. It stands on
a granite pedestal four feet
in height, in the center of a
broad stone platform, ap-
proached in front by a low
flight of granite steps, and
surrounded on the other
sides by a granite bench and
balustrade. The statue is
the posthumous gift of Eli
Bates, who, at his death in
June, 1 88 1, left $40, ooo with
which to erect a fitting me-
morial to the great emanci-
pator in the Park which
bears his name. It was
unveiled with impressive ceremonies on October 22, 1887.
The first of all statues in the Park is "The Alarm," a bronze group
of four figures, an Indian, wife, child, and dog, each alert at some
approaching danger, the work of John J. Boyle, and the gift of Martin
Ryerson, which was unveiled in 1884.
The Schiller Monument, a bronze figure of heroic size, cast in the
original mold of the well-known statue of the great poet and dram-
atist at Marbach, in Wurtemberg, his birthplace, was given by Chi-
cago citizens of German descent, and unveiled on May 8, 1886.
One of the most striking of all the beautiful statues that grace
the drives and lawns of the Park is that of Robert Cavelier de La Salle,
the work of Count Jacques de La Laing, and the gift of Lambert Tree,
which was unveiled October 12, 1880.
The bronze statue of the great botanist Linne, a gigantic figure
fifteen feet in height, mounted on a massive granite pedestal, and sur-
rounded by four allegorical figures representing the seasons, is the gift
of Chicago citizens of Swedish nativity, and was unveiled May 23, 1891.
An artistic statue of Shakespeare, presented to Lincoln Park by
Samuel Johnston, and located in the perennial garden, was unveiled
on April 23, 1894.
In 1895 tne statue of Benjamin Franklin was tendered to the
Commissioners by Joseph Medill, through the Old-Time Printers'
Association. The gift was accepted, a suitable site selected for the
statue on the lawn south of the engine-house, overlooking the Lake
Shore Drive, and it was unveiled on June 6, 1896.
In 1894 the Hans Christian Andersen Memorial Association was
formed by Danish citizens, not only of Chicago, but of the entire
country, for the purpose of raising funds to erect a monument in Lin-
coln Park to the memory of the kindly teller of stories which have
delighted children of all lands. The statue, a bronze figure of the
writer, seated, with the swan of " The Ugly Duckling " by his side, was
unveiled on September 26, 1896.
Johannes Gelert was the sculptor.
The statue of the "Signal of
Peace," an Indian messenger,
mounted, bearing a flag of truce,
the work of John J. Boyle, was
presented to the Commissioners
bv Lambert Tree, and was also
unveiled in 1896.
In 1897 a bronze bust of Bee-
thoven, the work of Johannes
Gelert, was presented to Lincoln
Park bv Carl Wolfsohn.
NOTES
In May, 189 1, a boat-landing was constructed at the foot of Ful-
lerton Avenue, at a cost of $3,557.98.
The speeding-track, east of the Shore Drive from Fullerton Avenue
to Diversey Avenue, was constructed in 1895.
On July 4, 1897, a swimming contest was given in the lagoon,
under the auspices and management of the National Swimming Asso-
ciation.
The swings as a Park institution, operated for the benefit of vis-
itors for a merely nominal fee, hardly sufficient to pay for the services
of the necessary attendant, date from 1876.
In 1882 the owners of the Couch vault presented a petition to the
Commissioners that better care be taken of the vault and the grounds
immediately surrounding, offering to pay for the same.
The first application on record for the privilege of keeping pony-
carts and phaetons in the Park, to rent to visitors, was made in 1883.
It was denied, and it was not until 1892 that a lease was first made for
this privilege.
The maps of Lincoln Park published in this report were all drawn
by J. H. Lindrooth, still a member of the Park engineering force, and
two of them are reproductions of maps originally drawn by him in
1870 and 1873. He has been employed in the Park almost continu-
ously since 1869.
In 1875, among all their other activities, the Commissioners found
time and occasion to order the printing of two hundred signs instruct-
ing visitors to "keep off the grass." Out of compliment to the large
German population of the North Side, half of the signs were done in
German, the other half in English.
On November 16, 18S0, the Commissioners considered the matter
of planting a hedge along the west boundary of the Park, and ordered
a plan and estimate of the cost. It was decided later that there would
be some disadvantages in screening the Park from the view of the
public traveling alongside it, and the plan was abandoned.
For a number of years memorial services have been held at the
Lincoln Monument on Decoration Day bv Lyon Post No 9 G A R
which has also decorated the monument. The Grant Monument 'has
been decorated nearly every year by Ulysses S. Grant Post No 28
and services held by the members at the base of the monument.
In 1876 the old "Tunnel Drive," which had been built in 1870
by the city, from the head of Dearborn Avenue, through the cemetery
and the old Park, to a point near the lake shore, was abandoned and
the materials used in the construction of the race-course. In after years
the race-course was set apart for the use of horsemen as a bridle-path.
In 1887 there were negotiations between the Commissioners and
the trustees of the Newberry Library, looking toward the erection of
a permanent home for the library in the Park. An act authorizing
the erection of buildings for the use of the library in the Park was
passed by the Legislature on June 16, but a site was afterward chosen
for it elsewhere.
In the year 1S92 the artesian-well service was extended to drink
ing-fountains in various parts of the Park, thirteen being supplied from
the south well alone. The water of the north artesian well has Ion-
been famous near and far for supposed medicinal qualities, and has
hundreds of regular patrons who send their jugs daily to the well to
be refilled, while one or two wagon routes have been maintained for
years to supply the daily wants of patrons.
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
•tr-Q Few p e o p 1 e
^ know that a fold-
ing bridge of the
bascule type was
erected in Lincoln
Park in 1892. It
is the bridge across
the inlet from the
lake to the lagoon
on the outer drive,
2,000 feet north of
North Avenue.
The inlet was intended to permit the entrance of yach s to the
lagoon, but it was so narrow that the entrance was not "safe except in
the mildest of weather, and the folding bridge has seldom been un-
folded.
In March, 1874, the Commissioners achieved the doubtful honor
of giving one of the first orders, if not the first, for English sparrows
to be delivered in Chicago, and on March 24, thirty-seven pairs of
the interesting birds were received from New York, at' a cost of Si. 50
per pair, and turned loose in the defenseless Park. There has always
been more or less difficulty in keeping animals and birds in the Park
collection, but there has never been any difficulty in preserving the
flock of sparrows. They have multiplied and increased.
In 1873 a bathing-house was established just south of the North
Avenue pier, and operated there for years; while in 1874 the Commis-
sioners, in response to a plea from the City Board of Health for free
bathing facilities, offered to set apart space on the beach for bathing,
and maintain the beach and bath-houses if the city would erect the
latter. The Board of Health returned thanks for the offer, but noth-
ing more ever came of it, and it was not until 1895 that the free
bathing beach was opened north of Fullerton Avenue.
In July, 1874, a suggestion was made to the Commissioners to set
apart a lake or small stream to be devoted to the propagation of
brook or speckled trout. The plan was not deemed feasible, and was
not adopted. The next effort on the part of piscatorialists to obtain
a footing m Lincoln Park came eighteen years later, on March 20, 1892
in the form of a request from the Chicago Fly Casting Club for the
privilege of practicing fly casting in the Park. This was considered
an insidious attempt on the peace and happiness of the gold-fish in
the Park ponds, and was sternly refused.
In 1S91 fifty breeding gold-fish were secured from the United
States Fish Commission and placed in the ponds. Their progeny in
the South ponds filled thirty barrels when the water was drawn off in
1897 for the double purpose of cleaning the bottom of mud and
destroying the carp which were eating all the gold-fish spawn. The
German carp, like the English sparrow, has lost its prestige in Lin-
coln Park, although when the first carp were presented in 1886 by N.
K. Fairbank, the Commissioners were highly pleased, and adopted a
vote of thanks to their generous fellow-townsman.
One of the most notable events in the early history of Lincoln Park
was the opening or inauguration of the parade grounds, now prin-
cipally devoted
to base-ball and
foot-ball, on
June 23, 1 877, by
a review of the
First Regiment
by the Governor
of the State and
other officials.
The regiment
marched up
Dearborn Av-
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
enue to the Park, and was reviewed by the Governor at its entrance.
It was estimated that the crowd gathered in the Park to witness
the parade was between 15,000 and 20,000 people. The grounds,
which had but recentlv been completed, were appropriated for the use
of local militia regiments, for some years were devoted chiefly to that
purpose, and are still so used occasionally. In 189S a regiment,
formed to take part in the war with Spain — but never given an oppor-
tunity to do so — drilled nightly on the grounds. Drills and reviews
of the city police force have also frequently been held there.
In 1 88 1 the first of several petitions which have been made from
time to time for the opening of a driveway into the Park from La
Salle Avenue was presented to the Commissioners, but on an adverse
report from the Superintendent it was placed on file as "impracti-
cable and inadvisable." The attack was renewed in succeeding' years,
until on August 28, 1893, the Commissioners ordered the opening of
La Salle Avenue into the Park. But in the next two weeks they were
so bombarded with remonstrances, petitions, and complaints against any
interference with the broad half-mile esplanade from North Avenue
to Center Street, and the beautiful unbroken stretch of lawn beside it,
that on September 12 the order was reconsidered. On June 11,
1894, petitions for and against the opening of La Salle Avenue were
again presented, and in 1897 and 1898 the fight was renewed, each
time to end in the failure of the project.
The old boat-house on the South Pond, which was torn down at the
time the present refectory was built in 1882, had been erected prior
to 1869, not by the city, but by the contractors who laid out the Park
grounds. They were allowed to erect a building at their own expense
for the convenience of visitors, and as long as the pavilion remained
no charge was made for the privilege of operating boats for hire and
furnishing refreshments. The boat-house was constructed in the
semblance of a grotto on its main side, with a roof garden over the first
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
floor, on which grass and shrubbery flourished. The top of the pavil-
ion was used as a band-stand for all concerts given in the early years of
the Park. In 1S69 the "Ten-Mile Ditch," which ran through the ponds,
gave free access to the lake, and the contractors had considerable
trouble with renters of their boats, who would row out into the lake
and fail to return. On this account the mouth of the ditch was
barricaded.
All possible encouragement has always been extended by the
Commissioners to the exercise of sports and games in the Park.
Skating races have been held on the ponds since there were ponds to
skate on. A number of boat clubs have their home on the lagoon,
where regattas are held annually. Bicycle races have been permitted
within proper limits on drives and boulevards. Diamonds for base-
ball and foot-ball, and courts for lawn tennis, have been marked out
for the free use of the public, and even croquet has had its untiring
devotees. When the practice of setting apart any part of the Park
for games was first begun, it aroused some opposition on the part of
those who claimed that as Lincoln Park was a public park it was
illegal to give special privileges, no matter how temporary they might
be, to any one. One of the first tennis games ever played in the Park
was broken up by a positive tax-payer, who asserted his equal right to
the use of that particular part of the Park by sitting down in the
middle of the court and refusing to move until placed under arrest by
a Park officer. The protesting citizen did not carry his case to the
Supreme Court, and the right of the Commissioners to encourage
sports and games was not long contested.
There is hardly a tree standing in Lincoln Park to-day which has
not been bought and planted there by the city of Chicago or by the
Commissioners. Many of the old scrub oaks, which were scattered
over the ground before it was converted into a Park, remained for
some years, and a few still remain, but most of them died or were
grubbed out to make way for more ornamental shade trees long ago.
One of the first cares of the Commissioners in the early history of
the Park was that of planting hardy and graceful trees in attractive
groups, and in 1870 they filed a protest with the Board of Public
Works against the inartistic manner in which the trees in the old Park
were being trimmed by the city.
The elms which line the Lake Shore Drive from Diversey Boule-
vard to the electric fountain were bought in 1870 and 1S71. The
splendid trees which shade the picnic-grounds were planted at the
same time. To buy young trees and wait for them to grow seemed
too long a process, and a great number of forest trees, all over a foot
in diameter, were bought and brought to the Park at large expense
in these years. Nearly 20,000 trees, 10,000 evergreens, and 15,000
shrubs of various kinds have been bought at different times for the
ornamentation of the Park. Following is a list of the trees which
have been planted, as far as their names are shown in the Park records:
Elms, 4,816; maples, 2,180; ash, S82; acacia, 600; birch, 541;
willows, 429; linden, 345; thorns, 165; chestnut, 101; larch, no; catal-
pas, 50; dogwood, 50; sycamores, 44; cottonwood, 7; oaks, 3; unclassi-
fied, 9,621; total, 19,944. The total expenditure for the purchase of
trees for the Park alone, exclusive of boulevards, has been $48,301.80.
<?KR>.v\.V.
AREAS OF PARK AND BOULEVARDS
The following tables, prepared by A. A. Babcock, the park en-
gineer, give details of the areas of Lincoln Park, the small parks, and
the boulevards under the control of the Commissioners, the length of
drives and walks and boulevards, and other information of that
character:
Lincoln Park-
Grass Plats ..._ I 62.S4i
Grass Plats along Lake Shore Boulevard 12.009
Total Lawn Surface .
Concrete Walks along Lake Shore Boulevard -
Parapet and Promenade
Rustic Steps _ _ _
Total Walks
2.031
0.903
2-743
Drives 35.756
Roadway, Lake Shore Boulevard ... 4.063
Speeding-Track 2020
Bridie-Path . ^^i
Bridle-Path along Lake Shore Boulevard .. 1 o8t
Brid .?. e !Tn- — - ° 73 7
total Drives
Paved Beach _ 6487
Revetment o ; 888
Sand Beach 5.127
Total Beach _
Buildings, Shelters, etc _'
Cages, Animal Pits, etc.
Fountains and Monuments
Boat Landings
North Pond . gr^i
South Pond g.^n
Lagoon _ 2 o.
Aqua Regia Pond
North Lily Pond
South Lily Pond
Other Water Surfaces-
Total Water Surface
Total
174,850
27.624
47-875
2.502
2 -793
0.391
0.685
0.424
40.928
308.072
Chicago Avenue Park... l6o
Union Square o62
All Boulevards-... *
Lincoln Park Boul . . -
Lincoln Park Boul.
Ohio St. Ext. Boul.*
Lake Shore Boul
North Ave. Boul. ...
Dearborn Ave. Boul..
Garfield Ave. Boul. _.
North Park Ave. Boul.
Fullerton Ave. Boul..
Diversey Ave. Boul. _.
Lake View Ave.Boul..
North Shore Drive.. .
Sheridan Road
BOULEVARDS
Ohio St Chicago Ave..
PearsonSt Oak St
Indiana St Oak St...
Oak St North Ave.—
Pine St Clark St
North Ave Burton PI
N Park Ave... Clark St
Clark St Fullerton Ave
N. Park Ave.-. Orchard St. ...
Lake Michigan Chicago River
Diversey Ave.. Belmont Ave. .
Belmont Grace
Grace N. 59th St
1,670
1. '79
3,600
3.933
1,382
65,
159
2,375
2,695
12,440
2,585
4,680
■1,340.
202
200
66
2.530
3-139
16.700
18.078!
2.C94
.65.
.159
2.375
4.083
18.848
4.747
13.429
20.826
Total of above.
1 of boulevards, but in the
creage of the Park.
8.48 mil
The following measurements are for the various improvements
lying wholly within Lincoln Park, or in other words, between North
Avenue Boulevard and Diversey Avenue Boulevard, and for the Lake-
Shore Boulevard from Oak Street to North Avenue:
Lake Shore Boulevard, Oak Street to North Avenue 3,933 feet
Lake Shore Drive „] „ f eet
Outer Beach Drive . . 5^675 fee
Stockton Drive ,'a („
West Drive '.'..'.".'."" I'.'." '.'. 4,525 fee
Connection Drive __ 1275 fee
Ridge Road.-. '.'...l'....":" 3^0 fee
Ramble Drive l ( >C]0 f ee
South Drive 1875 fee
Other Drives ._ 4^836 fee
Speeding-Track _. _ 1 7 en fee
Bridie-Path .!""'.""'_ $27 fee-
Bridle-Path, Oak Street to North Avenue 3.933 fee
Total drives 54,828 feet
Bicycle-Path 7 oo feet
The Mall 887 feet
Gravel Walks ... 76,700 feet
10.374 miles
Total acrea'
e, Lincoln Park system ^ g
127
Walks (other than concrete).
1,287 feet 12.933 miles
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Brought forward ....
Parapet Promenade 5,400 feet
Animal Department Walks 1,650 feet
Clark Street Broad Walk 2,980 feet
Lake Shore Boulevard Walk --- - 3,933 feet
Total Concrete Walks. — 13,963 feet
Total length of Drives and Walks
WATER PIPES
640 miles 15.573 miles
25.947 miles
There is a total length of 33,291 feet (6.307 miles) of concrete
curb and gutter now in use.
Within the boundaries of Lincoln Park there are several systems of
underground work, of which the following figures give the approxi-
mate lengths of the various sizes of pipes, etc., and their valuation:
SEWERS
1 ,322 Lineal Feet 20 inch Brick Sewer a
2,203 Lineal Feet 15-inch Pipe Sewer a
5,565 Lineal Feet 12-inch Pipe Sewer a
15,700 Lineal Feet 9-inch Pipe Sewer a
22,291 Lineal Feet .- 6-inch Pipe Sewer a
77 Lineal Feet 4 inch Pipe Sewer a
51.50 Si, 983.00
.60-- 1,320.00
■45--- ■ 2.554.25
.30 4,710.00
.20 4,458.20
•■5--- "-55
47,155 Lineal Feet, total length of Sewers, or 8.931 miles S15.037.00
600 Catch Basins at Si 5.00 9,000.00
75 Manholes-- at 2o.oo.-_- 1,500.00
355
525
3,257
9.=7'
10,334
7,382
2,304
48,307
24,718
839
2,625
Lineal Feet-
Lineal Feet-
Lineal Feet-
Lineal Feet-
Lineal Feet-
20-inch
16-inch
10-inch
8 inch
6-inch
Lineal Feet 4-inch
Lineal Feet 3 inch
Lineal Feet 2-inch
Lineal Feet ij_-inch Water Pipe
Lineal Feet i^-inch Water Pipe at
Lineal Feet [-inch Water Pipe at
Water Pipe atS2
Water Pipe at 1
Water Pipe at 1
Water Pipe at
Water Pipe at
Water Pipe at
Water Pipe at
Water Pipe at
00 $710.00
25 - - - 656.25
00 3,257.00
80 , 7,416.80
60 6,200.40
50 3,691.00
40 92 1 .60
30---. . 14,492.10
20 .-- 4,943-6o
20 167.80
'S-— 39375
109,909 Lineal Feet, total length of Water Pipes, or 20.816 miles
30 Hydrants at S30.00--
90 Main Pipe Valves at 10.00
Street Washers or Hose Connections at 2.00-.
S42.850.30
900.00
900.00
1,570.00
785
Total Value .-. ... S46.220.30
ELECTRIC-LIGHT CONDUIT
47,888 Lineal Feet of ij^-inch Conduit with one Cable.
17,952 Lineal Feet of 2-inch Conduit with two Cables.
Total Value about $29,000.00
I
LINCOLN PARK TAXES
\ annSlv bv?CT tabl6 Sh ° WS ?? am ° Unt ° f the estimates mad «
> annually by the Commiss.oners of Lincoln Park of the money needed
fo, the maintenance and improvement of the Park for the^nsS
year; the appropriations made in each year by the supervisors of the
two towns of North Chicago and Lake View, as extended upon the tax
warran ; he total amount of the levies for each year and th otal
neco lections of the warrant of each year, the sums lost in process of
collection and the costs of extending and collecting the tax hav nR
been deducted from the amount of the warrant before the collection!
were turned over to the Commissioners. The total net collections as
given in the table include * 4 ,6, 3,287.87, the amount received from
the tax warrants for 1870 to 1898 inclusive, and $25,000, advance
co lections on the tax warrant for ■ 809, which is now in the hands of
the County Collector. The final payments on this warrant will not be
made before December, 1899.
■87° --- — 560,000.00
] °7! --■ 65,000.00
'872 --- 75,000.00
'f73— 79.442.19
■°74 --- 85,000.00
'°75 - - 92,000.00
l8 76 125,000.00
'877^ 75,000.00
'°78 75,000.00
■°79 85,000.00
'88o 115,000.00
■88i — 1 15,000.00
■882 . .. 130,00000
■883 --- 150,000.00
1 884 . .'_ _■ _ 1 70,000.00
'885 160,000.00
'886 170,000.00
■887 . 180,000.00
■888 1 8o.ooo.co
1 889 - - - 1 00,000.00
■890 220,000.00
1 891 - . 260,000.00
■892 --- 357,000.00
■893 - 309,000.00
■894 --- 378,500.00
1895 -■- 380,548.00
'896 418,030.00
'"97 --- 289,000.00
1 898 - 396,000.00
1899 .__ 396,000.00
LEVY BY SU-
PERVISOR OF
NORTH CHICAGO.
$59,088.16
62,110.43
65,434-!7
69,758.03
70,421.24
79,26l.OO
97,905.53
75,4I3-82
75,000.00
90,240.00
108,179.00
I04,gi2.I4
100,102.00
129,000.00
I49,973-67
I45,6[5 60
152,448.30
160,164.33
l60,2I2.28
170,247.85
179,574-74
224,047.19
275,-00.34
270,737-7.5
304,502.24
267,090.45
248,602.78
204,499.91
194,008.32
S62.i46.69
65,962.48
72.46S.i5
79,442.19
86,246.83
9',845.23
110,905.53
85,371.27
«4,50O.00
■05,194.63
121,528.67
115,362.13
107,594.46
I34,724-25
I55,5II-36
153,696.31
l60,655.66
168,279.23
168,263.08
178.371-43
199,064.61
248,491.1 I
300,868.81
298,485.78
334-847.16
307,446.52
294,292.03
241,782.71
245.154.97
244.62002
858,527.71
61,905.15
68,509.02
76,308.07
79,266.32
85,258. , 3
'05,584.43
81,880.44
79,987-71
99,232.04
116,147.10
ii 1. 268.7 1
104,812.49
130,571.14
152.444.87
150,596.00
157.140.72
165,245.14
165,28924
173,362.30
194,497-29
244,819.03
292,768.95
288,881.60
323,222.38
297.5 2 9-c6
284,180.18
229,573-82
234,473-83
*2 5.000.0O
Totals $5,780,520.19 $4,483,539.26 $539,555.40 $5,023,123.30 $4,638,282.87
•In process of collection.
GENERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN PARK
TO MARCH 3i, 1899
General Park tax, collected
Special assessment for land purchase
Net proceeds land purchase bonds-
Accrued interest land purchase bonds
Pine Street Drive assessment
Pine Street walk assessment-
Shore protection bonds
Premium shore protection bonds
Accrued interest, shore protection bonds
Lincoln Park Boulevard assessment
North Shore Drive assessment- --
Ohio Street Extension
Oak Street Breakwater -
Cobb's sidewalk assessment -
Rent of boats
Rent of refectories -
Sale of sand
Rent of swings ---
Labor and teaming ---
Pier privileges
Interest on bank balances
Phaeton privileges
Sale and rent of electric launches
Rent of steam roller —
Sale of animals
Sale of ice
Rent of axle-grease factory - .
North Avenue Boulevard
Diversey Avenue Boulevard, east
Fullerton Avenue Boulevard, east-
Fullerton Avenue Boulevard, west
Lincoln Park Boulevard, south
Dearborn Avenue Boulevard
Lake View Avenue Boulevard
Sheridan Road
Deposits on permits
Miscellaneous receipts-
§4,638,282.87
1,243,312.85
760,231.22
§89,818.85
16,963.00 106,781.85
525,903.28
96,250.79
320,328.75
261,164.00
14,327.00
1,386.00
147,301.63
45,716.66
40,831.83
14.04545
13,008.26
6,903.01
7,169.95
5.133-33
5,048.31
4, '3345
8,656.82
1,150.00
437-5°
15.90379
501.25
20,293.61
5,008.85
',649.25
493-3°
1,186.81
[,751.01
1,648.52
209.40
16.65
DISBURSEMENTS
Land purchase account ... $1,120,635.66
Land purchase bonds 800,000.00
Interest on land purchase bonds 7 1 7,3°5-°4 ^2
Shore protection - $602,832.98
Interest on shore protection bonds 201,625.00
637,940.70
Beach improvement
Oak Street Breakwater
Belmont Avenue Breakwater- --
Pine Street Drive
Lincoln Park Boulevard improvement-
North Shore Drive
Ohio Street Extension- -
Cobb's sidewalk -
Administration
Police department
Floral department
Animal department-
Water supply, estimated
Electric lighting, estimated
Lagoon bridge —
Inlet bridge --'-
Other bridges
Academy of Sciences, construction -
Academy of Sciences, maintenance -
Monuments
Artesian wells
Sewers -
New barn - -
Boats
Electric launches
South Refectory, construction
North Pavilion, construction- --
Chicago Avenue Park
Interest on loans
Swings ..-_■------- ---------
General improvement and maintenance ot Park--
Sheridan Road, maintenance
Lake View Avenue Boulevard, maintenance -
North Avenue Boulevard, maintenance and improvement-
Lincoln Park Boulevard, north, maintenance-
Lincoln Park Boulevard, south, maintenance-
North Park Avenue Boulevard, maintenance- -
Diversey Avenue Boulevard, east, maintenance ---
Diversey Avenue Boulevard, west, maintenance
Fullerton Avenue Boulevard, west, maintenance ---
Fullerton Avenue Boulevard, east, maintenance
Dearborn Avenue Boulevard, maintenance
Cash balance, March 31, 1899
$2I7,t
'36,;
S'7.;
15.;
ig,(
8o4,457-q8
108,430.94
6,170.00
3,84445
418,6,0.57
96,450.79
332,119.41
219,837.21
196.70
261,606.98
343,266.60
372,445-88
206,925.41
70
92 354,198.62
$24,301.1 1
27498.74
$49,727-76
10,178.41
$12,361.93
2,727-95
1 1,805.0}
7,259.88
2,938.43
6,927.68
4,096.48
617.15
1,970.20
1,307.87
1,418.15
51,799.85
28,106.91
19,299.66
29,428.51
24,025.97
59,906.17
I4,6n.33
18.447-95
10,51749
16,669.93
6,356.14
1,559,495-67
$8,304,263.46
53.43°-75
192,182.54
. $8,304,263.46
THE REPORT
OFFICE OF
THE COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN PARK,
LINCOLN PARK.
Chicago, March 31, iSgg.
To The Honorable, The Mayor of the City of Chicago.
Sir, — In compliance with Section 18 of the Act of June
16, 1871 (amendatory of the act of the General Assembly of
the State of Illinois of February 8, 1869, under which this
Board was organized), the Commissioners of Lincoln Park
submit herewith their annual report for the fiscal year ending
March 31, 1899.
P. M. Woodworth,
President.
Attest:
I. J. Bryan,
Secretary.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Chicago, April i, 1899.
To The Commissioners of Lincoln Park.
Gentlemen, — The members of this Board, and the tax-payers of the
towns of North Chicago and Lake View, have joint cause for congratu-
lation in the fact that in the last fiscal year, with a total revenue from
the tax levy smaller than previous boards have devoted to the ordinary
running expenses of the Park, such expenses have been cut down to
a lower notch than they have reached in years, thereby saving over
$60,000 for permanent improvements of various kinds, for all of which
there was some pressing need. In the year just passed, as in the year
preceding it, the most difficult problem this Board has had to face
was that of determining how to achieve the best results with an appro-
priation much too small for the manifest and crying necessities of
Lincoln Park. In order to render available for needed improvements
the largest possible share of the Park revenues, the ordinary charges
for maintenance were reduced in every feasible manner in each
department, and by close and careful economy they were cut down
to §127,909.33, a saving of $12,270 from the year before, and of
$63,500 from the year preceding that. A larger proportion of the
funds of the Park have been devoted to permanent betterments than
has been the case in any recent year. Much important work had to
be postponed or neglected because of the lack of funds, but that
which seemed the most essential was accomplished, and care was taken
this year, as last, not to exceed the actual revenue. For the second
time in years the new year is begun with a credit balance instead of a
large deficit. This result has not been accomplished without great
difficulty, the natural tendency being to borrow from the future to
make repairs and improvements which are vitally needed, but for
which there are no funds. The rule was laid down, however, and
rigidly adhered to, to keep the expenditures well within the revenues.
That the Commissioners should feel a more direct responsibility and
keep in close touch with Park affairs, no expenditures are made except
on requisitions approved by the several committees having different
departments of the Park in charge, and ordered by the Board. In the
same way all bills for supplies must be indorsed by the head of each
department and by the Superintendent, and be scrutinized and approved
by the proper committee before final action by the President, Audi-
tor, and Secretary. This system was inaugurated August 4, 1S97,
when new rules were adopted by the Commissioners for their govern-
ment, and its workings have been very satisfactory. For comparison,
there is appended here a table of the tax levies of half a dozen years
past, the expenditure in each year for Park maintenance, and the finan-
cial condition of the Park at the end of each year.
MAINTENANCE DEFICIT AT BALANCE AT
I893-4.-. S298.485.78 $158,126.02 $84,564.60
1894-5- -- ---334,847.16 185,672.50 31,680.15
1895-6 ---307,499.22 168,87880 44.54i.IO
I896-7 294,292 03 191,422.65 50,601.97
I897-8- 241,782.71 140,180.04 SI96.63
I898-9---- --- 244,633.12 127,909.33 24,60345
Attention was called, in the last annual report, to the danger of
serious damage being done by the lake, to the paved beach along the
Park front and the sea-wall south of Burton Place, and to the neces-
sity of additional protection to enable them to withstand the force of
the severe lake storms. This necessity was strikingly emphasized last
fall by a series of violent storms which toppled over a section of the
sea-wall at Schiller Street, undermined the rest of the structure,
i-M
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
and ripped up the paved beach north of North Avenue for a dis-
tance of 1,000 feet. A year ago it was estimated that the sea-wall
and paved beach could be protected bv driving down sheeting along
the entire extent, at aii expense of approximately $60,000. A much
larger amount will now be necessary to repair the destruction caused
bv the storms of last year, and to permanently
protect the work. A beginning was made in
this direction last summer, when a contract was
awarded for 1,000 feet of extra piling and
sheeting along the paved beach from North
Avenue north, but this protection was not com-
pleted when continued bad weather made it
advisable to stop the work. There is available
for the work of shore protection the proceeds
of the sale of bonds of the town of North Chi-
cago of the face value of S40,000, authorized by
the Legislature in 1891, which were sold last
summer at a premium of S6,6oo. Unless a
further issue of bonds is authorized, it will be
necessary to appropriate a large sum from the
general fund of the Park the coming year to
protect the lake front against more extensive lK , ,
damage by storms.
During the year a number of important im-
provements have been designed and executed. Many of them, at a
comparatively small cost, have greatly enhanced the beaut)' of the Park,
or greatly increased the comfort and convenience of visitors, besides
facilitating the work of employes. The principal item of expenditure in
the improvement account was the construction of a new barn. This
building, which is located near the Lake Shore Drive north of Fullerton
Avenue, is of unpretentious architectural design, but large enough
for the accommodation of seventy horses, and for all wagons, carts,
sprinklers, etc., besides furnishing ample quarters for the paint-shop,
carpenter-shop, blacksmith-shop, and the general storeroom. Its con-
struction was forced by the absolute necessities of two departments.
For several years the horses had been stabled in the basement under
the flower propagating houses, where they were subject to an un-
healthy degree of heat, both in summer and
winter; while the constant and excessive damp-
ness caused bv the leakage through a rotten
wooden floor of the water thrown on the flowers
in the plant propagating houses above was
equally injurious to the health of horses and
employes, and the appearance of all vehicles,
harnesses, and tools which had been stored
there. To have made the floor water-tight
would have entailed an expenditure of at least
88,000; and as that would have removed but
one of many vital objections to the continued
use of such quarters as a stable, the building of
a suitable barn seemed to be the most econom-
ical solution of the problem.
The collection of animals in Lincoln Park,
,^H»^. the only one in the city of Chicago, has for
thirty years been a chief attraction for a large
majority of visitors. For several years little
attention has been paid to it; and while the natural increase kept up
the size of the collection, the quarters in which the animals were
kept were allowed to fall into decay. Outside of the brick structure,
built in 1889, the animal-houses were mere wooden sheds, unsightly
and impossible to keep clean. The buffalo herd, which might long
ag'o have been by far the finest in the countrv, had been depleted by
wholesale exchanges, and by sales at figures which now seem ridic-
ulously below the real value of the animals. Recognizing the fact
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
that the Lincoln Par
Zoo is a perennial attrac-
tion for all Chicago, the
present Board has paid
special attention to that
department the past year,
and much has been done
to facilitate the care of
the collection, to add to
it, to pave the way for a
still more considerable in-
crease in its size, and to
make the surroundings
more attractive to visitors.
Heretofore all tropical animals had been kept in the main animal-
house in the winter, and in detached and more open cages at some
distance away during the summer. Twice a year it was necessary to
drive the lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and hyenas into a movable
cage, and transport them back and forth. There was always danger
of injuries to the employes engaged in the work, and injuries to the
animals were not infrequent. To obviate the necessity for these
transportations, to provide the animals with roomier quarters, and to
give the public better opportunity to see and admire them, an improve
ment of great value has been carried out at an expense only trifling in
comparison with the benefits derived. In place of the detached cages
in the center of the animal-house, larger and more substantial cages
were built last year along the south wall of the building, and summer
cao-es have just been constructed along the outside of the south wall,
with doorways connecting them with the winter cages. During the
summer the tropical animals will have the use of both sets of cages,
while in cold weather the doors will be closed and the animals will be
kept in the warm house. The remodeling of the interior of the animal-
house cost 83,544.17. The work necessary to complete the summer
cages and connections, now practically finished, will cost about 83,000.
A small animal-house of pleasing architectural design has been
constructed, at a cost of $5,153.14, just south of the deer-paddock,
with winter and summer cages for small animals and birds, and with
a large dry basement for storing vegetables and other perishable sup-
plies for the big animal boarding-house of Lincoln Park. Before this
improvement was carried out, most of these animals were kept in out-
of-the-way places, and there was a constant loss because of the entire
lack of a suitable storehouse.
The new animal-house and the alterations of the older and larger
structure embodv some of the most advanced and successful ideas in
the care of wild animals, a thorough inspection of the systems fol-
lowed in the zoological collections of Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Philadel-
126
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
phia, and New York having been made early last summer by the
Superintendent and myself. The best features of all were combined
in the plans adopted by you.
Neat and substantial wire fences were built about the buffalo-park
and deer-paddock, and around the duck-pond, at a cost of §1,127.40;
and a new summer shelter was built for the elephant "Duchess," the
favorite of all children and many adults.
The houses for the gold and silver pheasants and other birds of
gorgeous plumage, which are among the most admired members of
the bird family in the Park, have long been an eyesore, and besides
are unfitted for a proper display of the feathered beauties, or for their
safe-keeping, and the construction of three handsome pheasant-houses
is under way.
When the wooden sheds now used for the buffalo, elk, and deer
have been replaced by more substantial and less unsightly structures,
an improvement which should be carried out in the near future, — the
entire collection of animals and birds will be properly and perma-
nently housed for some time to come, though the capacity of the
buildings to care for additional increases will be almost reached. It
would be fortunate if more space were available for the buffalo-pad-
dock, and if it becomes possible to enlarge the Park by filling in the
lake north of Fullerton Avenue, arrangements to increase the paddock
can easily be made. The buffalo herd in Lincoln Park is probably
the largest and finest in the country, and as the race is practically
extinct in its wild state, I would recommend that no buffalo cows be
sold, but that the herd be carefully guarded and increased.
The improvements in the animal department had progressed so
far last December, that authority was given for the expenditure of
Sj.ooo for the purchase of new animals. Much time and attention
has since been given, with the view of securing such animals as would
add the most to the attractiveness of the zoological collection, and of
securing them on the most reasonable terms. The first purchase made
under this authority was that of a lion, a tigress, a yak, a European
fallow deer, and a pair of zebus. An order has also been given for
the importation, from Europe, of camels, kangaroos, ostriches, black
leopards, and other animals.
There are many animals which would add greatly to the interest
of the Park collection, and to its value as a living lesson for students
of natural history, but their cost is prohibitive under the present
financial conditions. I hope the time will come when some public-
spirited citizen, anxious to devote his wealth to the benefit of the peo-
ple, will make the discovery that in no way could he provide more
pleasure and instruction for a greater number of people than by pre-
senting a large sum to Lincoln Park for the purchase of animals and
the construction of new and improved buildings. The present animal-
house, with all the improvements of the past year, is hardly large
enough for the present needs; and if the collection is to be increased
by the addition of some of the many rare and expensive animals not
now represented, a much larger building will be needed, as well as a
larger fund for the purchase of new animals, than the Commissioners
now have or are likely to have at their command for some years.
In April the old wooden bridge across the South Pond channel was
replaced by a substantial bridge of iron and stone, and the road, which
had been closed to the public throughout 1897, wa s reopened.
Late in the year a private telephone system, connecting the Park
office, barn, greenhouse, animal-house, new animal-house, and
power-house, was put in, at a cost of $521.25, thereby effecting a sav-
ing of much valuable time in the transmission of orders and reports.
Much work which was deemed of the utmost importance to the
proper maintenance of the Park had to be postponed because of lack
of funds. In the propagating of flowers and plants, Lincoln Park,
which has long held a proud position in the lead of all other Chicago
parks, has been badly handicapped by the unscientific plan on which
its greenhouses were constructed, and because of their inadequacy in
128
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
size. The combination of horticulture and horse-stabling was as
unfortunate for the flowers as it was for the horses. The fumes of
ammonii from the basement stable were injurious to all the vegeta-
tion above them. This trouble has been removed by the construc-
tion of the new barn. There is still, however, one very serious
defect in the arrangement of the greenhouses, in that, instead of
being built on the ground, they are raised a number of feet above
the ground, on a wooden floor. Many beautiful and rare varieties
of plants cannot be cultivated under such conditions. They are too
faraway from Mother Earth; and until the greenhouses are taken
down from their stilts and put on the ground, where they belong,
the skilled gardeners of Lincoln Park will be at a serious disad-
vantage. The greenhouse roofs are built of wood and glass; the
wood is rotting, and unless new and modem greenhouses of iron and
glass are soon constructed, continual and vexatious repairs will be
necessary. Plans have already been drawn for the reconstruction
of the greenhouses, and the addition of a few more houses at an
approximate cost of 824,000, and it is hoped that the work will be
completed early in the coming year.
Orders have also been given by the Board for the construc-
tion of toilet-rooms at the base-ball grounds, to replace the present
structure.
Attention was called in the last annual report of the Commission-
ers to the poor condition of nearly all the driveways in the Park. As
all who drive over them or ride over them on bicycles are well aware,
they are rough and uneven, the granite top dressing having almost
entirely disappeared. To put them in good condition, an expenditure
of at least 850,000 will be necessary. No money was available for
such work during the last two years, and the present prospect is that
these badly needed repairs will have to be postponed over another
summer.
You have already decided to use no more cinders in the construc-
tion of walks in the Park, and as soon as possible all the cinder walks
should be replaced by cement walks.
I desire again to earnestly recommend that steps be taken as soon
as possible to increase the capacity of the electric-lighting plant,
so that all boulevards controlled exclusively by the Park can be
lighted from the Park plant. At present that part of the Sheridan
Road known as the North Shore Drive, from Belmont Avenue to Grace
Street, is lighted by private contract, a a cost of Si, 500 per annum;
and when the Ohio Street Extension of the Lake Shore Drive is com-
pleted, you will be compelled to provide for the lighting of that boule-
vard as well. The cost of a new dynamo, the necessary increase in
boiler capacity, and the necessary lamps and wires would not be
great, and the interest on such an investment would be far less than
the present and prospective annual charges for lights furnished by
private corporations. There would be a yearly saving of $ 1,000 and
upward.
I am not in favor of the acceptance of any more city streets as
boulevards, except where the owners of the abutting property expressly
guarantee the payment of whatever sums it may be necessary to expend
for their proper maintenance. Where contracts have not" been made
with the abutting property owners for the maintenance of Park boule-
vards, all moneys expended for their care must be taken from the
general fund raised by taxation on all property in the towns of North
Chicago and Lake View,— a system which is unfair to the tax-payers
who do not derive direct benefits therefrom. Under such an agreement,
Garfield Avenue, from Clark Street to North Park Avenue, was
accepted as a boulevard December 7, 1898, the City Council having
passed an ordinance tendering the street to the Commissioners of
Lincoln Park on November 28.
With the rapid growth of population in North Chicago, and
particularly in Lake View, has come a serious demand for the
enlargement of Lincoln Park, which is now hardly large enough for
[l^^ *«t Qki. all Uo™ if |-,^ n U jiiP
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
the growing popu-
lation for which it
furnishes the only
, convenient place of
public recreation.
The increase in the
value of land on
three sides of the Park-
makes additions to it in
any landward direction im-
possible, except at an ex-
pense which would be prac-
tically prohibitive. The
only alternative is that of
wresting land from the
lake. When the paved
beach was constructed from North Avenue to Fullerton Avenue and
over sixty acres added to the Park, it was in contemplation to extend
the breakwater and beach to Diversey Avenue. If this were done,
some thirty-seven acres would be added to the Park domain, and the
lagoon could be extended a half-mile farther, making the finest land-
locked boating-course for mile races in the country. A harbor for
yachts could be provided, and the acreage of the Park in Lake View
almost doubled. The expense would be inconsiderable in compar-
ison with the vast benefits to be derived from the improvement.
The soil of Lincoln Park is thin and poor, and constantly growing
poorer. The original sand dunes upon which the Park was laid out
were covered with good soil to a varying depth, seldom more than a
few mches, and more and more of this good soil is constantly washed
down through the loose sand, and lost. The soil is so poor, in fact in
most of the older portions of the Park, that it is more and more a
matter of surprise that it should be possible to keep up the lawns at
all; and last summer the grass was only kept green by sprinkling it
night and day during the several weeks of dry weather. The engines
and pumps at the waterworks were run to their full capacity every
hour of the twenty-four, pumping 5,000,000 gallons of water daily;
and in that way it was possible to keep the grass in fairly good condi-
tion. The time will come soon when even such extraordinary efforts
will not avail, and it will be absolutely necessary to remove the sod
and renew the lawns with good soil, preferably a layer of clay, and
over that one of black soil, the clay being necessary to prevent the
fertile soil from filtering through the sand. It will be impracticable
to treat more than a small part of the Park in this manner in any one
year, and it is important that the work should be begun at once if funds
can be set apart for it. The expense will be great, but the only result of
longer delay will be to add to the cost of what must inevitably be done.
Considerable work was done last year on the construction of the
Ohio Street Extension of the Lake Shore Drive, but it is still far from
completion. I am strongly in favor of stopping this work altogether
until the entire amount due from the property owners under their con-
tract with a former Board has been paid in. " The contracts originally
called for the payment of the assessments in full in 1892. The time
was extended several times, but in 1896 payment in full was demanded,
and some of the owners made their final payments. Others are still
in arrears. The early completion of the drive would entail an expense
on the Park out of proportion to the benefits to be derived from it
until there is some connection between the boulevard systems of the
North and South sides. No provision was made in the "contract with
the shore owners, who will profit most by the construction of the
drive, for its maintenance by them; and as the charge on the general
fund of the Park for the care of the boulevard will be considerable, it
would be unwise to proceed with the work until the property owners
have fulfilled their part of the contract by making their final pay-
ments. A fund of $25,000 will be secured from the shore owners for
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
[ 3i
B atWrs
the construction of a break-
water 1,400 feet long from the
sea-wall at Bellevue Place to
the new work at Oak Street;
but the expense of filling the
space from Oak Street to the
breakwater, and improving it as
a park, with a continuation of
the paved beach, drive, para-
pet, bicycle-path, walks, etc.,
connecting the old and the new
shore drives, will all have to be
borne from the general fund.
It will be impossible to set any-
thing apart for that purpose during the coming year from the
reduced revenues of the Park.
Another contract made by a former Board, which entails consider-
able expense upon Lincoln Park, is that which was entered into with
the Academy of Sciences. A contribution of $25,000 was made toward
the construction of the building, and a heavy burden was laid on Lin-
coln Park for all time bv the pledge of the payment of $6,000 of
87,000 annuallv for the heating, lighting, and cleaning of the building,
and the payment of the salaries of officers and employes of the insti-
tution.
The refectory and phaeton concessions of the Park were let last
year for periods of three years, the phaeton concession bringing a
much larger revenue than before, and the lease of the refectories a
somewhat smaller return, owing indirectly to the fact that the patron-
age of the boats in the Park has fallen off in recent years, presumably
because of the vast increase in the use of bicycles.
There is great cause for congratulation on the part of all lovers
of Lincoln Park in the final adjudication by the Supreme Court of
Illinois of the question of the relative rights of Lincoln Park, and of
private owners of property along the shore of Lake Michigan, over
the submerged lands from the shore line to the point of navigable
water. The Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the
act, which in effect vests the title of all such submerged lands along
the entire lake front, from the Chicago River to Devon Avenue, the
northeast boundary of the town of Lake View, in the Commissioners
of Lincoln Park for the benefit of the Park. Shore owners are
debarred from building piers to increase their holdings, and the Com-
missioners are empowered to fill in the lake to the point of navigable
water for the extension of Lincoln Park. The time will come when
this right will be a priceless heritage for the children of a greater,
more densely populated Chicago.
One of the most important duties which will demand your atten-
tion in the coming year is that of pushing the improvement of Diver-
sey Avenue Boulevard from Clark Street to the river. This is the only
possible connection with the Park and boulevard system of the West
Side, which has already been completed to the river. There have been
legal obstacles in the way of securing the confirmation of an assess-
ment for the improvement of the boulevard, which is now in an almost
impassable condition, but many of them have been smoothed away.
There are still some legal questions which may give trouble, but the
matter is being pushed in the courts, and it is important that nothing
should be left undone which may aid in securing the speediest possible
consummation of this much-needed improvement.
The determination of this Board to keep intact all moneys derived
by taxation from the town of North Chicago, for a sinking fund for
the retirement of shore protection bonds, has been faithfully main-
tained, and the fund now amounts to over $43,000, which is drawing
interest at 2^ per cent. There are outstanding bonds of this kind to
the amount of $500,000, of which $300,000 will fall due in 1907,
$160,000 in 191 1, and $40,000 in 1918. The Supervisor of the North
132
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
town is required, by
the several laws
authorizing these
issues, to make an
annual levy suffi-
cient to retire five
per cent of the
bonds outstanding,
the proceeds of the
levy to form a
sinking fund for
the retirement of
said bonds. But
former boards either
did not insist on
having the levy
made or spent the
money accruing
from it for other
urposes, and there
will be a deficit of over Si 00,000 in the sinking
fund when the bonds fall due. This will then
have to be made up by an extraordinarily large
levy, unless the annual levy is increased from
this time sufficiently to make up the deficit.
The charges for interest on shore protection
bonds will be 825,000 annually, from now on
to the retirement of the first issue.
I hope that the Board will consider well
the improvements to be made in the coming
year, and not make any expenditures in excess
of the amount of our appropriation.
Last summer the park foremen, the employes of the animal depart-
ment, the drivers of sprinkling-wagons, and the workmen employed
on the drives and boulevards were put in uniforms, greatly to the
improvement of their appearance.
I wish to call attention to the very efficient services of Mr. I. J.
Bryan, not only as our Secretary, but in compiling the history of Lin-
coln Park from the beginning up to the present time. It has never
been undertaken before, and I consider it very valuable. Admirers
of Lincoln Park will be much interested in its early history.
I wish also to call attention to the report of the floral department,
prepared by our head gardener, Mr. C. J. Stromback, who has been
in our Park for the last twenty years. This is the first time that a
complete botanical catalogue of the plants and trees in Lincoln Park-
has been printed. It will prove valuable to all who are interested in
that line of work.
The present Board, as an official body and as individuals, suffered
a serious loss in the death of their colleague, Commissioner Horatio
N. May, September 30, 1898.
P. M. Woodworth, President.
ATTORNEYS REPORT
Chicago, April i, 1899.
To The Commissioners of Lincoln Park.
Gentlemen, — I have the honor to submit the following report of
the business of public importance transacted in the law department
of Lincoln Park since April 1, 1898:
The objections filed b*y L. W. Yaggy and Parker R. Mason, to the
assessment for the improvement of the North Shore Drive, have been
overruled by the court, and the assessment confirmed.
This will produce some $5,000 toward covering expenditures made
in the completion of the driveways.
The assessments made for boulevarding Fullerton Avenue between
Clark Street and Orchard Street, and for curbing and guttering
Sheridan Road between Evanston Avenue and Ainslie Street, and
between Winona Avenue and Foster Avenue, have also been confirmed
by the court, and the money for these improvements will probably be
available at once and the improvements made.
There has been much difficulty in settling the legal status of
Diversey Street between Clark Street and the North Branch of the
Chicago River, because of uncertainties arising concerning the legality
of granting ordinances, repealing ordinances, and defective street
grants, and because of factional opposition of some few property own-
ers along the street. But now many of these difficulties have been
happily adjusted, most of the assessment for the improvement con-
firmed, the first installment of the assessment in process of collection,
and we may reasonably expect that before the present summer season
ends, we will have a beautiful boulevard completed, extending from
Lake Michigan to the North Branch of the Chicago River, and there
connecting with another boulevard, uniting all the West Side parks, —
Humboldt, Garfield, and Douglas, — and thence to Washington and
Jackson parks, semicircling - the city, and completing' the chain of
Parks with a boulevard over twenty miles in length. The credit for
accomplishing this great work is due to the urgent requests and per-
sistent solicitations of Governor Tanner, the continuous attention
given the subject by the Board of Commissioners of Lincoln Park,
and the tireless perseverance of a committee of Diversey Street prop-
erty owners headed by Mr. Henry Winter.
In the suit of the Chicago Lumber Co. vs. The Town of Cicero,
decided by the Supreme Court of Illinois, October 24, 1898, and
reported in the 176 111., page 9, an important question of interest to
parks in regulating boulevards and driveways was decided.
It was claimed in that case that no municipality or other authority
had power to determine what kinds or classes of teams should be per-
mitted to use boulevards or driveways, or had power to exclude one
kind of teaming and permit another kind; that all driveways were for
the use of' all the people of the State, and not for one class of people.
But this contention was not sustained by the Supreme Court, which
held that there is nothing unreasonable in excluding traffic teams
from a street designated and intended to be a pleasure driveway. Such
a driveway, the court said, must be constructed and paved in a particu-
lar manner, and if heavy teaming is allowed, injury would result, and
frequent repairing would be necessary.
Neither can it be said that pleasure and recreation are not as
much for the good of the people as business and traffic. This deci-
sion practically places all boulevards and driveways taken and
improved by Lincoln Park under the sole and exclusive control of the
Park authorities, so far as their -use is concerned.
134
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
But the most important suit in all respects is that of Revell vs.
The People, decided by the Supreme Court of Illinois, in a decision
filed December 21, 1898. This was a suit brought by the Attorney-
General in the name of the People against Alexander H. Revell,
charging that he, being the owner of a lot fronting on Lake Michigan,
constructed two piers of timber and stone, 130 to 200 feet in length,
out into the lake, at right angles to the shore, upon the submerged
land opposite his lot, which structures, it was
claimed, were an irreparable injury to the
State, and a purpresture, and should be
abated or seized for the benefit of the State.
An injunction was asked for enjoining him
from building piers in the bed of Lake Mich-
igan, and from doing any work on the piers
then built, from filling in any of the bed or
encroaching on the water of the lake.
Revell answered, claiming that his only
purpose in building the piers was to protect
his land from erosion or waste; that prior to
its construction there had been violent erosion,
and his land was threatened with further
waste; that his piers were not an interfer-
ence with navigation; and that the people had no interest in them
or right to their removal. He further alleged that the suit was not
brought in the interest of the people, but by the Commissioners of
Lincoln Park, who are interested in obtaining a decision as to the
rights of shore owners whose lands they may desire to condemn and
acquire, and that therefore the suit is not brought in good faith.
Afterward Revell filed a supplemental answer, alleging that since
the filing of his former answer the Commissioners of Lincoln Park
had adopted a plan for the enlargement of Lincoln Park, and the
location of a boulevard over the bed of the lake about 1,200 feet east
of the shore line of his lot, for the purpose of reclaiming the sub-
merged land for Park purposes.
The case was heard before Judge Gibbons of the Cook County
Circuit Court, and the court found that the piers were trespasses upon
the submerged lands of Lake Michigan, and were purprestures;
but that they were built for the protection of defendant's land from
erosion, and were not detrimental to the public interest, and would
not become so until the State wished to re-
claim and use the land. The court decreed
that Revell be enjoined from building any
other piers, but as those built are not injuri-
ous to the public interest, the court would
not now order their abatement; and also that
he be enjoined from interfering with the State
or the Commissioners of Lincoln Park in
taking possession of the submerged land up
to the water's edge, and reclaiming and using
the same for park purposes. Revell took an
appeal from this decree to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held that there was
no evidence that the suit was not brought in
good faith; that the evidence showed that
Revell caused one pier to be built at Barry Avenue in the fall of 1890,
220 feet long, 20 feet on land and 200 feet in the water, and one at
George Street not quite so long, both perpendicular to the shore; that
the title to the land covered by the waters of our large lakes was in
the State for the use of the public, and that the erection of structures
of any kind upon the land under the waters of the lake within the
boundaries of the State, without a grant or other authority from the
State, was a trespass and purpresture.
That although the act complained of might not be injurious,
and might not be a public nuisance, still it was an unlawful act of
136
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
such character as to
authorize a court of
equity to interfere
and abate it.
Upon the ques-
tion of the riparian
rights of the shore
owner, the court held
that there are only
two common-la w
riparian rights which
the shore owner has,
and which cannot be
taken from him with-
out due compensa-
tion: one is, where
land gradually and
imperceptibly encroaches upon the water, the accretion or added land
belongs to the shore owner; and the other is the right to pass to and
from the lake within the width of his premises as they border on the
lake.
The claim that the shore owner is without protection if he cannot
erect piers or other structures, to prevent his land from erosion and
waste, is answered by the court, saying: "A shore owner may, no
doubt, erect on his own land such structures as may be necessary to
protect his land from erosion, provided such structures do not inter-
fere with navigation, but he has no right to intrude upon the lands of
the State unless authorized by the State." And further: "It may be
conceded that under the doctrine of protection a shore owner may
erect structures on his own land for protection against erosion, but,
as we understand the law, he has no right to enter upon the lands of
the State and erect thereon such structures, and when he undertakes
to do so, he is a trespasser. The State, holding the submerged lands
of the lake in trust for the people of the State, would be false to its
trust should it permit shore owners to encroach on the public domain
and gradually appropriate such property to their own use. Here, in
the erection of the structures complained of in the information, there
has been a clear violation of the law, and no reason occurs to us why
the structures should not be abated on the application of the people.
"The decree in this case was in favor of the complainants, but after
a careful consideration of the whole record we do not think it goes
far enough. We think the cross-errors of appellees are well assigned."
These cross-errors were, that the decree of the Circuit Court should
have ordered the immediate abatement or removal of the piers.
The substance of this decision is, that the person who owns a lot
or piece of land reaching to the shore of Lake Michigan has a right
to build a wall or other protection on his own land, to protect his land
from waste by the waves of
the lake. His land only
extends to the shore line.
This line was definitely
established by the Supreme
Court in its decision in the
case of Seaman vs. Smith,
24 111. 521. In that case
it was decided that the
shore line of Lake Michi-
gan is the line at which the
water usually stands un-
affected by storms or other
disturbing causes. Later,
in the case of School Trust-
ees vs. Schroll, 120 111.
509, the Supreme Court
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138
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
said that an owner of land along- a natural lake or pond owns only to
the water's edge.
Consequently the owner of land bordering on Lake Michigan can
build any protection he may deem proper, up to the line where the
water of the lake usually stands when unaffected by storms or other
disturbing causes; that is, where the land and the water meet when
the water is perfectly still. But to place any obstruction on or
under the water beyond that point is a trespass, whether it does any
injury or not, unless it is done with the consent of the State or its
grantee.
The shore line, or line where the land and the water meet when
at rest, is the line made by natural causes; that is, the line of the
meeting of the land and the water before any artificial erection of any
kind was placed in or on either the land or the water that could
directly or indirectly add to the land. Consequently any land made
by the erection of a pier, breakwater, or obstruction of any kind
would not belong to the shore owner, but to the State or its grantee.
The erection of a pier by a shore owner on submerged land beino- a
trespass, the shore owner could not profit by his trespass.
By an act of the Illinois Legislature, approved June 15, 1895,
authority was given the Commissioners of Lincoln Park to enlarge the
Park by reclaiming submerged land under the waters of Lake Michi-
gan, and to do so by simply preparing and adopting a plan for such
enlargement, therein locating a boulevard or driveway over the bed
of the waters, the termini of such boulevard to be within the towns
of North Chicago or Lake View, and granting the Commissioners
power to extend the improvement into the lake as far as they saw fit,
so as not to interfere with navigation on the lake. It was also pro-
vided in this law that the fee-simple title in the submerged land
between the outer line of the plan adopted and the shore line should
vest absolutely in the Park Commissioners for Park purposes the
moment the plan was adopted.
Under this law the Commissioners may assume sole control and
invest themselves with the fee title to all the submerged land from
the mouth of the Chicago River to the north line of the town of Lake
View, and from the shore line out to navigable water, which is pre-
sumed to be now about twelve feet in depth in Lake Michigan. A
large portion of the submerged land between these points has already
been taken by the Commissioners under this law, and in consequence
thereof, whenever an obstruction has been placed, or may hereafter
be placed, outside of the shore line it will be a trespass upon the land
of Lincoln Park instead of the land of the State.
In the law of 1895, however, there is a restriction upon the
power of the Commissioners in taking possession of such submerged
land.
Section 2 of that act provides that the riparian rights of the shore
owners adjoining such submerged lands must be obtained by the
Commissioners from the shore owners by contract or condemnation.
This, however, need not be done until the Commissioners are ready to
improve the submerged lands.
The title to the submerged land vests in the Commissioners
instantly upon the preparation and adoption of the plan of improve-
ment, but no riparian right of the shore owner is interfered with until
an attempt is made to carry out the plan by actually making improve-
ments.
The riparian rights that the shore owner has, and which must be
secured by the Commissioners before work is begun to improve the
submerged land, under the decision in the Revell case, are two:
First. — The right to accretions, as it is called, which is earth or
other matter thrown against or upon the land of the shore owner, and
which becomes attached thereto and is made a part thereof, either by
the imperceptible and gradual action of the water, or by the gradual
recession of the water from the shore line.
Additions made to the shore owner's land in either of these ways
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
L39
become the property of the shore owner, and are called one of his
riparian rights.
Second. — The right to pass to and from the waters of the lake,
within the width of his premises as they front on the lake, is the only
other riparian right he has.
These rights of the shore owner may be valuable or not, according
to the circumstances of his location.
It is believed that between the
mouth of the Chicago River and
the north line of Lake View, the
right to accretions is practically
valueless, for the reason that if all
the piers and other artificial con-
structions for accumulating sand and
earthv matter were removed, the
whole shore line would be washed
back by the waves of the lake, and
erosion or destruction of land would
result instead of accretions being
added. Evidence of competent
engineers has been taken, showing
that the waves on Lake Michigan
along this shore line often, during
storms, strike the shore with a force
equal to six thousand pounds to
the square foot, and average twenty feet in height.
Evidence of old citizens is also on record, showing that large addi-
tions have been made to the lands along a portion of this shore, but
only since piers and breakwaters have been built, which caught the
sand and held it against the wind and waves. But land made in this
way belongs, not to the shore owner, but to the State or its grantee, and
no land made by any artificial obstruction belongs to the shore owner.
The second riparian right, access to the water, can be in no way
interfered with, but rather facilitated, if the submerged land is
improved by being made into a park, with walks, drives, and the like.
Access to the water of the lake means access to the navigable water,
not to the shallow, useless water of the lake. Access to the shallow-
waters could be of no value unless prepared and used for bathing
purposes, and even this right could
not be held against the State or its
grantee, when the land used for a
bathing ground was required for
other purposes.
Consequently, riparian rights
along this shore are practically value-
less, and there should be no difficulty
in obtaining them by contract or
condemnation when needed, without
much if any expense. And in fact,
every shore owner would surely be
benefited instead of injured, if the
now valueless shallow water and
useless submerged land adjoining his
property were made into a beautiful
park, with its trees, walks, shrubs,
flowers, drives, miniature lakes,
and other attractions; while hun-
dreds of acres of rich land would be added to the city and State
that is now utterly worthless for any purpose. Again, if this sub-
merged land was transformed into a park, as is contemplated by the
law of 1895, a park eight miles in length, with an average width of
nearly one-fourth of a mile, would fringe the whole North Side of the
city. On the outer edge would be a solid wall protecting the land
against the storms of the-lake, with a wide boulevard on its top, with
its carriage road, its equestrian path, its bicycle-track, and pedestrian
walks, lighted by electricity at night, and made beautiful by the sunlit
waters of the lake by day. Eventually this would be met by a similar
extension from the South Side parks, with a Brooklyn Bridge over the
Chicago River, and thus a continuous boulevard would be created,
connecting all the Chicago parks in a continuous chain of the most
beautiful scenery fifteen miles along the lake shore, and twenty miles
around the city through the western parks to the lake again.
There are several cases yet pending in the courts, involving the
same questions as those decided in the Revell case, except that in
each of the pending cases the submerged land had been taken by the
Commissioners under the law of 1895, and the suits are in the name
of the Commissioners instead of the State. These are the cases of
Gordon vs. The Commissioners, now pending in the Supreme Court,
and Gunning vs. The Commissioners and Cobb vs. The Commission-
ers, now pending in the Superior Court, and the Commissioners vs.
Cochran, pending in the Circuit Court.
There is also pending in the United States Circuit Court the case
of Sayre vs. Benner ct al., being the famous McKee scrip case, claim-
ing all the accreted land along the lake shore front from the Chicago
River to Oak Street. Since the decision of the Secretary of the
Interior holding that the location of this scrip upon the land claimed
was illegal, there seems to be little disposition to press this case, as
that decision will be hard to overcome.
The case of Marshall vs. The Commissioners is also pending in the
United States Circuit Court, and is now being prepared for trial by
taking evidence before a Master of the Court. This is the claim of
Major Marshall, United States engineer, for some $ 16,000 royalty
for use of his patented breakwater and beach along the shore line
known as the Ohio Street Extension. The claim of Major Marshall is
being contested by the attorneys of the Park on several grounds.
One is, that Major Marshall, when he patented the supposed improve-
merit, was the paid engineer of the Park, and whatever he invented
during such employment should belong to the Park. Another defense
is, that his supposed invention had been used for a long time prior to
the granting of his patent.
Another is, that similar methods of shore protection had been
patented by others prior to the date of his patent. There are several
other matters of defense that are believed by us to be sufficient to
defeat his claim, not upon any technical ground, but because we
believe that whatever he learned about shore protection was obtained
at the cost of Lincoln Pa;k, and the Park should have the benefit of
his services, and not be compelled to pay for them again.
There are a number of other suits pending in the Superior and
Circuit Courts, for collection of money due the Park, and other mat-
ters of no public interest, that I have omitted to mention to avoid
unnecessary prolixity.
The Commissioners have been successful in all suits brought by
them and against them that have been tried.
They are, however, very seriously embarrassed in procuring the
means necessary to maintain and improve the Park as it should be
done, because of the fact that they are compelled each year to ask
the supervisors of the towns of Lake View and North Chicago for the
money necessary for such maintenance and improvement, and some-
times these supervisors are very illiberal in providing for such
improvements. If the Commissioners were empowered by law to
assess and collect a certain amount of money each year, or to assess
and collect such an amount as would be necessary to make the required
improvements, a system of improvements could be projected and
gradually completed, that would be uniform, and made much more
symmetrical than under the present system. As the law is now, the
Commissioners are compelled to wait until November each year to
learn how much money the town supervisors will allow them, and
then plan to make the most necessary improvements that the money
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
provided will make, if any money is left after making the necessary
repairs or improvements already begun. Every year the walks and
drives should be repaired, parts of the buildings repainted, new build-
ings erected to meet increased demands, new places for amusement
and recreation provided, new trees planted, new soil provided to cover
the sand beds which compose the subsoil of the principal part of the
Park, and hundreds of other necessary repairs and improvements
which must be made to maintain the reputation Lincoln Park has
gained by reason of the devotion to its success exhibited by its Com-
missioners.
Respectfully submitted.
James McCartney, Attorney.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To The Commissioners of Lincoln Park.
Gentlemen, — Not having served as your Superintendent for the
entire year, 1 have, with the assistance of your efficient Assistant
Superintendent, Mr. Alexander MacKay, and the heads of different
departments, the honor to briefly report herewith the labor performed
in the Park and on the boulevards from April I, 189S, to March 31,
1899.
LAWNS
Work was started on the lawns in the month of April, 1898, by
spreading thirty-two tons of fertilizer, and with continuous watering
day and night, the same were kept in a fair condition during the
entire season, but they will soon give out unless the soil is enriched.
TREKS
Trees have been bought and transplanted, and old trees grubbed
out as follows:
TREES PURCHASED
April, 1898. — 59 10-inch elms on the Ohio Street extension of the
Lake Shore Drive, 21 6-inch elms on Chicago Avenue, 13 6-inch
elms on Pearson Street, 22 6-inch catalpas on Chicago Avenue, 10
6-inch catalpas on Pearson Street, planted on the line of Chicago
Avenue Park, 4 6-inch catalpas in Chicago Avenue Park.
TRANSPLANTED
April, 1S9S. — 150 trees in various parts of Park, principally at
North Pavilion. One hundred shrubs from nursery in Park.
January, 1899. — 2 10-inch elms on Dearborn Avenue, 4 10-inch
elms on Lake View Avenue between Belmont and Diversey avenues,
S 1 o-inch elms on Lake Shore Drive between Diversey Avenue and
Grant Monument, 3 maples near north lily pond, 2 lindens near
north lily pond, 1 ash near north lily pond, 1 catalpa near north lily
pond, 6 elms on lawn of North Avenue, 3 catalpas near Academy of
Sciences, 1 linden near Academy of Sciences, 1 elm near Academy of
Sciences.
February, 1899. — 6 1 o-inch elms on Stockton Drive in place of 8
large willows grubbed out, 4 lindens, 2 maples, 1 elm, 1 birch, trans-
planted to conform with plan for new cages at animal-house, 1 elm,
1 catalpa planted north of propagating house, 2 1 o-inch elms planted
between Lincoln Monument and Lake Shore Drive, 10 old trees
grubbed out north of Fullerton Avenue, 8 old trees grubbed out
between Academy and Webster Avenue.
March, 1899. — 5 elms, 4 ash, I linden, 2 catalpas, 1 cherry, 1
Norway maple, 1 ailantus transplanted to replace trees cut down and
grubbed out west of swings, 6 elms, 4 ash, I linden, 2 maples, 3 ash-
leaf maples, 8 shrubs transplanted in front of cages of animal-house,
75 old trees cut down and grubbed out.
During the months of January and February, 1899, the following
trees were taken out in various places in the Park, from groups which
were planted too thickly, and transplanted in Chicago Avenue Park:
16 elms, 15 lindens, 10 ash, 7 maples, 5 catalpas, 5 cottonwoods, 3
ailantus, 2 Norway maples.
In addition to the tree and shrub planting, considerable work has
been done in this department in tearing out old vines and shrubs, and
cutting dead wood from the trees in various parts of the Park. By-
constant watering, our trees are kept in very good condition, but the
trees, like the lawns, need richer soil. They should be strengthened
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
■>
in their growth by digging out
the sand around them, and re-
placing same by good black
soil and manure for nourish-
ment.
WALKS AND DRIVES
No new paving has been
done to the roads or walks in
the Park during the past year,
but they have been patched
here and there as necessity
required it. Our roads are
very much in need of granite
top dressing-. An approximate estimate of the cost of this work is,
that it will require $50,000 to put the roads in proper condition; and
if possible, I would recommend that the Commissioners set aside a
certain sum of money for this purpose, to make a start on this much-
needed improvement.
OHIO STREET EXTENSION
The following work has been done in the construction of the so-called Ohio Street
extension of the Lake Shore Drive:
1,000 lineal feet of 50-foot-wide roadbed.
1,000 lineal feet of 25-foot-wide bicycle-track.
1,000 lineal feet of 12-foot-wide bridle-path, with combined curb and gutter, have been built,
but not top-dressed.
1,018 lineal feet of 2 1 -foot-wide concrete sidewalk, 897 lineal feet of 12-foot-wide concrete
sidewalk, and 1,060 lineal feet of granite-paved beach 48 feet wide have been constructed on this
improvement. Over 400 feet of the new beach was torn out by the storm of October 25 last, but
it was replaced at a cost of
Thejjfollowing new work was done on the water and sewer systems:
146
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
900 feet of 6-inch water main, 6 fire-plugs, goo feet of 2-inch
iron pipe for sprinkler system and 17 street washers, 1,200 feet of
12-inch sewer-pipe, 800 feet of o-inch sewer-pipe, 8 manholes, and 32
catch-basins.
SEWERS AND WATER-PIPES
Sewers and water mains have been laid in the Park as follows:
550 feet of 12-inch sewer, 300 feet of 6-inch sewer, and 5 manholes,
for proposed new toilet-rooms at the base-ball grounds.
300 feet of 12-inch sewer-pipe, 700 feet of 6-inch sewer-pipe, 2
manholes, and 10 catch-basins, for new barn.
200 feet of 6-inch sewer-pipe, 150 feet of g-inch sewer-pipe, and 4
catch-basins, for new animal-house.
120 feet of g-inch sewer, 244 feet of 6-inch sewer, and 8 catch-
basins, at new summer cages of animal-house.
60 feet of 12-inch sewer for sea-lion pit.
300 feet of 2-inch water-pipe for new barn.
156 feet of i-inch water-pipe and 3 street-washers at animal-house.
50 feet of 1 -inch water-pipe at new animal-house.
120 feet of 1 -inch water-pipe and 1 street-washer for pheasant-
cages.
550 feet of iVj'-inch water-pipe and 1 street-washer for horticul-
tural department.
300 feet of 3-inch water-pipe, 80 feet of 2-inch water-pipe, and
100 feet of i-inch water-pipe, for Bates Fountain.
PAINTING
During the past year there have been painted and lettered: II
double sprinklers, 2 single sprinklers, 12 carts, I express-wagon, 1
buggy, 2 schooner-wagons, 4 dirt-wagons, I two-horse roller, 1 one-
horse roller, 3 hand-rollers, 3 push-carts, 1 plumber's cart, 1 mowing-
machine cart, 10 street-barrows, 6 mortar-barrows, 6 stone-barrows,
31 mowing-machines, g2 waste-paper baskets, 8g boats, 2 swan boats,
22 cupboards in new barn for teamsters, 300 grass-signs, 120 stand-
pipes for sprinkling system, 200 settees, 150 stationary benches.
Both refectories were calcimined, and considerable painting done.
The Commissioners' and Superintendent's rooms were decorated.
All tunnels and bridges and railings were repaired and sanded.
BRIDGES
One new iron bridge with asphaltum and concrete roadway was
constructed by contract over the old channel east of the South Pond,
which was filled in in l8g7, but the abutments of concrete were
erected by Park labor.
The timber frame and plank walk at the bridge over the channel at
the animal-house were constructed by Park labor.
The foot-bridge at the refectory was rebuilt, and considerable
repairing on tunnels and other bridges done this year.
ELECTRIC-LIGHT SYSTEM
A great deal of trouble was experienced with our electric light sys-
tem during the past winter, much of which was due to the improper
laying of conduits. Ducts should invariably have been laid so as to
drain thoroughly to hand-holes. Where no hand-hole exists between
two poles, the pipe should be laid to slant to a central point between
the poles, and a hole drilled in the bottom of the pipe to allow for
drainage. Under this hole a piece of small sewer-pipe or other suit-
able material should be placed, so that the water will have a few-
inches of drop before reaching the earth, and to insure against filling
up in case the ground is frozen all around.
Wherever trouble is due to ice forming in the ducts, a new cable
should never be drawn in until the conduit has been relaid, as the
trouble will only be again repeated the following winter. A g'reat
deal of work has been done by our chief electrician, Mr. Harold
\eYwe.™. <sAa\j0 Sj Ww»,W^ WvvbtYNioWy |0&*
V
«
M8
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Almert, during the last two months, to insure, as far as possible,
against any water getting into the conduit, by overhauling all the
electric-light poles in the Park, straightening and tightening same, and
sealing up the holes at the top of the pole
where the cables lead down, and by repairing
hangers in such a way that they will not cut
the cable by swinging to and fro as heretofore.
The arc lights demand the greater portion
of our chief electrician's time and attention.
He found upon taking charge that all the
lamps were burning at too high a voltage;
whether this was caused by his predecessor
or the trimmers is hard to say, but in his
judgment he thinks the latter, as they have
been in the habit of changing the adjustment
of the lamps if it did not suit them, think-
ing it did no harm. This practice has been
stopped, and the consumption of current for
each lamp has been reduced by fifty watts, still
giving exactly the same amount of light.
This means a continual saving, when all lamps
are burning, of 12,500 watts, or equal to 16.7
horse-power; 150 lamps have been completely
overhauled and replaced on the line. Each
and every lamp is taken apart and thoroughly
cleaned. It is then put together and painted,
the defective parts replaced by new ones,'
after which it is placed on the test-rack and carefully adjusted by
a volt meter, its behavior being carefully watched for" several hour's
before marking it O. K.
The paper cable, although of very high insulation resistance when
in good condition and well protected is merh.n.V 11 5 ^ ' Sh ° Uld be re P laced b V a larger one. All
p.otected, ,s mechamcally weak, and ,s transformers on the incandescent system are working from i S to 92
not very well fitted for this particular installation. As soon as a hole
the s,ze of a p.nhead appears, the paper absorbs the surrounding
mo.sture, and ,n a few hours a considerable portion of the cable is
ruined. Though rubber cable is higher in
price, I think- it will be cheaper in the end,
as it will retain its insulating properties, even
though the lead covering may be parted.
In a great many cases 1 think the trouble
with our lights was the faulty laying of these
cables. It seems that they were stretched to
such an extent that the lead covering was
parted and flattened in a great many places.
We have relaid 4,000 feet of cable/and laid
2,500 feet of new rubber cable. The conduit
for this was relaid, and the new cable laid in a
thorough and workmanlike manner, and I do
not believe that we will experience any more
trouble or grounds on this portion of our
system.
During the last winter there were twelve
cases of cable trouble, as follows: Circuit A,
O, K, circuit B 6 grounds, circuit C 3 grounds,'
circuit D 1 ground, circuit E 1 ground, circuit
F 1 ground. All of these have been over-
come and repaired, so that the system at pres-
ent is in a good running condition.
The arc light dynamos are in a very
good condition, although taxed to their utmost capacity, and if any
more lights are to be added in the near future, it will 'be necessary
to purchase another arc dynamo. Our incandescent dynamo is over-
taxed 50 per cent, and should be replaced by a larger one. All
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
149
per cent overload, which makes it uneconomical work; but
a great deal of this will be remedied as soon as our elec-
trician can get at them. He is now working upon the
more important system of arc lights.
GAMES
During the season the following permits for games
were issued: Lawn tennis, 1,201; base-ball, 217; foot-ball,
35; total, 1,453.
The following is a list of the days of skating during the
winter of 1898-99: November, 1898, 3 days; December,
1898, 31 days; January, 1899, 27 days; February, 1899, 15
days; total, 76 days.
GENERAL WORK
An entire new fence was constructed around the animal-
yards, and 975 feet of concrete curbing underneath same
was laid by Park employes.
All sprinkling-wagons, carts, boats, mowing-machines,
and barrows have been thoroughly overhauled by our car-
penters, wagon-makers, and blacksmiths.
Considerable manure has been hauled to va> ious parts
of the Park, as follows: To the Ohio Street Extension in
August, 1S9S, 117 cubic yards; in May, 1898, from the
new barn site to the North Shore Drive, 700 cubic yards.
Sharp sand was taken from the beach and hauled to
the Ohio Street Extension, as follows: In May, 1898, 93
yards; June, 189S, 192 yards ; July, 1898, 222 yards;
August, 189S, 153 yards; September, 1898, 638 yards;,
October, 1898, 100 yards; total, 1,398 yards. And 35
yards were hauled to the new beach at North Avenue.
150
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Fifty-two loads of slag were hauled to the new barn for roads, and
whenever we had teams idle during the winter, we had them hauling
cinders for Chicago Avenue Park walks. The new barn has been
constructed and completed during the fiscal year, giving us ample
room for our horses and storage of feed, together with shelter for
our sprinklers, carts, and wagons, also a new carpenter, blacksmith,
and plumbing shop, and storage-room.
Many plans, details, and specifications have been drawn during
the year, by your efficient civil engineer, A. A. Babcock, the principal
ones being:
i. The plans and details for new men's toilet-room at the ball-
grounds, part of the work, mainly sewerage, for the building having
already been completed.
2. Plans and details for three new pheasant cages and yards,
nearly completed.
3.. Plans and details for the new propagating house, the erection
of which will be started as soon as the plants can be removed from
the old building.
4. Plans for a new animal-shelter house.
5. Plans and details for the outside cages at the animal-house,
work on which is practically completed.
6. Soundings taken, and plans of same drawn for the beach work-
under construction. Sketches for the protection of the sea-wall, and
a good many approximate estimates of different plans and improve-
ments drawn up for consideration.
I wish to call the attention of the Commissioners to the fact that
these buildings are being erected by Park labor as much as possible,
as it is my firm belief that this method is giving us a better class of
work at less expense than if let out on contract.
Our artesian-well water supply is in danger of giving out again,
and I believe that some other method should be used to supply the
different wells in the Park with drinking water. I would suggest that
you erect a steel tank above the well near the power-house, of a
capacity of about 65,000 gallons of water, place a small air' com-
pressor in the engine-room, connect same with pipe to the well, and
thus force the water into the tank very easily. From the tank lead a
four-inch supply pipe down to connect with different pipes now lead-
ing up to this well. This would insure a good supply of drinkino-
water for the public, and would in the end be cheaper than the
method now used in distributing this water.
This is, in brief, as I find the conditions in the Park; and I deem
it my duty to call the attention of the Commissioners to the facts
as they are, so that steps may be taken to remedy existing evils as
soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted.
Paul Redieske, Superintendent.
ZOOLOGICAL REPORT
Chicago, April i, 1899.
To The Commissioners of Lincoln Park.
Gentlemen, — I present herewith an inventory of the animals,
birds, and reptiles in Lincoln Park, with their ages and other details,
together with a list of the animals and birds presented to Lincoln
Park in the year closing March 31, 1S99.
Respectfully submitted.
Cyrus DeVry,
Animal Keeper.
MAMMALS
SEX.
i Lion Male
1 Lion-.. Male.--
1 Lion . Female..
1 Lion ... Female..
1 Tiger Male.. .
1 Tiger... Female.-
I Tiger Female.
I Jaguar Male
1 Leopard Male
I Hyena Female..
1 Hyena Female. .
1 Puma Male
I Puma Female..
3 Young pumas
1 Lynx
2 Wildcats
5 White Maltese cats
1 Elephant Female 31
1 Buffalo Bull 10
1 Buffalo Bull 3
1 Buffalo Bull 2
2 Buffaloes Bulls 1
4 Buffaloes Cows 11
2 Buffaloes Cows 3
3 Buffaloes Cows 2
1 Buffalo, Asiatic Male 40
1 Elk Male 3
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
mos.
years
years
years
years
year
years
years
years
years
years
6 Elk 1 Female.... 5
1 Deer '} Male .' 6
1 Deer .. Male 3
2 Deer Female 3
1 European fallow deer Male . 5
3 Goats Male
1 Aoudad Male..-. 8
1 Yak _ Male 11
1 Pairzebus Male and female 3
1 Zebra Male 2%
2 Polar bears Female 16
1 Grizzly bear Male 10
1 Russian grizzly bear Female
1 Cinnamon bear Male 10
years
years
years
years
years
years
mos.
years
years
years
years
2 Brown bears.
■i Black bear.
6 Raccoons.
5 Half-breed wolves.
2 Black wolves.
1 Coyote.
7 Foxes.
4 Rattlesnakes.
15 Eagles.
It Owls.
4 Chicken hawks.
2 Turkey buzzards.
7 Crows.
1 White crow.
4 Magpies.
2 European swans.
2 American swans.
1 Black swan.
12 Wild ducks.
9 Wild geese.
3 Wood ducks.
2 Mallard ducks.
2 Flying foxes.
5 Prairie dogs.
2 Opossums.
10 Rabbits.
20 Guinea pigs.
1 Swift fox.
1 Honey bear.
REPTILES
3 Gila monsters.
BIRDS
2 Call ducks.
2 Sea gulls.
3 Blue herons.
1 Night heron.
1 German stork.
2 Sand-hill cranes.
3 Pelicans.
30 Ring doves.
1 Dog quail.
14 Golden pheasants.
7 English pheasants.
4 Silver pheasants.
1 Hybrid pheasant.
20 Peacocks.
1 Great Dane dog.
1 Pig.
5 Monkeys.
3 Civet cats.
40 White mice.
30 Squirrels.
8 Rabbits.
5 Peahens.
2 Turkeys.
20 English bantam
chickens
3 Red macaws.
1 Green macaw.
4 Cockatoos.
1 1 Parrots.
7 Parrakeets.
1 Starling.
1 Bluejay.
18 Canaries.
2 Robins.
years
152
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
1898.
April 8.
April 11.
April 11.
April 11.
April 11.
April 17.
April 17.
April 25.
April 26.
April 27.
May 10.
May 12.
May 12.
May 12.
May 17.
May 21.
May 25.
June 4.
June 9.
June 9.
June 12.
June 14.
June 14.
June 23.
June 23.
July 8.
July 12.
July 13-
July ,3.
July 14-
ANIMALS AND BIRDS PRESENTED TO LINCOLN PARK
July
July
July
Aug
Aug
I Raccoon R.A.Harris 432 Clybourn av.
1 Golden eagle Aid. John Powers 79 McAlister pi.
2 Wolves F. Obermaier 84 Clark st.
9 Canary birds Mrs. Camp Portage, Wis.
2 Squirrels Raymond Perry 343 E. 53d St.
1 Wild duck H. Stoelzel City
1 Hen hawk J. H. Carr 27 Troy St.
I Squirrel Percival Keith 4603 Langley av.
1 Alligator ... .. Fred B. Hildreth 133 E. Vanburen si
1 Parrot Mrs. Schroeder 502 Wells St.
1 Quail ... C. Dreier 553 Clybourn av.
8 Pigeons ... A. H. Guenewald 738 Sedgwick st.
3 Canary birds Mrs. Vantasel 550 School st.
I Hawk Mrs. Daymen! 143 Fullerton av.
1 White owl KelleyBros Cylinder, Iowa
1 Squirrel ...- Mrs. Wise 385 Dearborn av.
1 Young male deer ... W.C.Galloway 156 Dearborn av.
1 Young male deer .._ Chester Simons 370 Fulton av.
1 Young male deer ... Wm. Ganschow 666 Warren av.
1 Magpie Fred McNally N. Park av.
1 Canary bird ... .... W. Patteson 268 Chestnut st.
I Owl Anton Bashart no Webster av.
3 Crows H. Buscher 592 N. Wells st.
f Parrot Mrs. Bartling... _ 381 Center st.
1 Golden eagle E. Kraneman 565 Lincoln av.
1 Ring-tail monkey ... E.E.Clark Danville, 111.
2 Ring doves Chas. Fries 94 Cass st.
1 Hawk G. Ayers 3052 Indiana av.
1 Fox H. J. Holthoefer 4858 Indiana av.
2 Squirrels ... .. Fred Hildreth 133 E. Vanburen st.
1 Badger Chas. Hoagen Paulina, Iowa
1 White raccoon Dr. Wm. Doepp 73 Grant pi.
1 Western bluejay Miss Jessie Jaquish 283 Irving av.
1 Mink Jacob Soffirth.... 786 N. Halsted st.
1 Parrakeet .. M. D. Williams 1651 W. Monroe st.
1 Parrot Mrs. G. Grummett . 105 Emerson av.
1 Fox... __ T.D.Dunn City
1898
Aug. 5,
Aug. 7
Aug. 9
Aug. 9
Aug. 1 1
Aug. 30
Aug. 30
Aug. 31
Aug. 31
Sept. 1
Sept. 5
Sept. 7
Sept. 9
Sept. 9
Sept. 12
Sept. 19
Sept. 25
Sept. 29.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
an.
1 Young coyote Ben Birch 1520 Div
ersey av
Feb.
Feb.
Feb. 20.
Mar,
Mar. 20.
1 Lynx
1 Golden eagle
I Alligator
1 Young opossum
2 Squirrels
I Parrot
1 Guinea pig
1 Hen hawk
2 Hen hawks
1 Magpie
1 Raccoon
1 Rattlesnake
2 Hen hawks
1 Porcupine
1 Parrot and canary
bird
1 Canary bird
I Parrot
1 Quail
1 Pair rabbits-
1 Guinea hen
35 White mice
I Screech owl .._
1 Opossum
1 Green macaw
Mr. Schrolls 201 E. North av.
Wm. H. Kihn 247 Illinois st.
Clara Brinkman 585 La Salle av.
P.O.Ward 233K Chestnut st.
J. E. Baggs 1523 Aldine av.
H. Brueggestradt 226 S. Clark st.
Mrs. M. Shields Dearborn av.
Hans Henkin 188 Fifth av.
E. Erickson 239 Oak st.
Miss Becker 205 E. Division st.
Ira Storms 409 Sedgwick st.
H. S. Pepon 2443 N. Hermitage av
O. Wagner Fairmont, Minn.
Geo. Schmall 316 North av.
Mrs. Webber 309 Orchard st.
Herman Zeitz 1137 Lincoln av.
Mrs. E. Palmer Sheldon av.
P. W. Kline 544 Garfield av.
Miss Irwin .... ....... 2566 N. Ashland av.
J. F. Scheeck 1806 Dearborn av.
J. J. Klinehart 86 Fremont St.
Capt. Seegn ... 9S7 Herndon st.
Nels Duckels .. Jacksonville, 111
Mrs. Henning 622 La Salle av.
1 Golden eagle Mayor Carter Harrison
2 Parrots Dr. P. M. Woodworth.. 1246 N. Clark st.
I Red bird Mrs. Ellis 520 N. Normal Parkwav
I Civet cat N.H.Lyon 39 Bellevue pi.
1 Red fox Wm. Werner 72 Bryant av.
1 Gray squirrel W. F. Newberry 4415 Ellis av.
2 Hen hawks C. R. Sandquist 33 E. Chicago av.
t Red fox H. Freeman 876 Grand av.
1 Owl Central Police Station
1 Opossum J. Paulsen 225 Dearborn av.
1 Raccoon Stewart & Gust Rockford, III.
2 Alligators Wm. Mangier N. Park av.
GARDENER'S REPORT
Chicago, April I, 1899.
To The Commissioners of Lin-
coln Park.
Gentlemen, — I present here-
with an enumeration of the
plants, vines, shrubs, and trees
in Lincoln Park, embracing
1,42.7 species, which represent
116 natural orders. The names
are grouped according to habit
of growth and general charac-
ter. Each group is arranged
alphabetically, in itself, by the
names of the genera. This was
considered better for the present
purpose than a strictly botanical
classification. In cases where
plants have common or popular
names they are given, where
space permits the original home
of the plant is added, and also
the month of blooming of
species having showy flowers.
Respectfully submitted.
C. J. Stromback,
Head Gardener.
TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODY VINES
Abies excelsa
Acer dasycarpum
Acer dasycarpum Weirii
Acer dasycarpum laciniata
Acer platanoides
Acer platanoides Reichenbachii
Acer platanoides Schwedlerii
Acer Palmatum
Acer Polymorphum
Acer pseudo-platanus
Acer rubrum ..
Acer Saccharinum
Aesculus flava
Aesculus glabra .
Aesculus Hippocastanum
Aesculus Hippocastanum Memmin
Month of bloom-
ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Norway Spruce
Silver Maple
Weir's Maple ... ._.
Cut-leaved Maple
Norway Maple
Reichenbach's Norway Maple...
Purple Norway Maple
Palmate Japanese Maple
Japan Maple
Sycamore Maple May
Red Maple April
Sugar Maple
Sweet Buckeye -_ May
Ohio Buckeye May
Horse Chestnut 'May
Aesculus Lyonii
Ailanthus glandulosa
Alnus glutinosa
Amelanchier Canadensis
Ampelopsis Veitchii
Ampelopsis tricuspidate Royalii -
Ampelopsis quinquefolia
Amygdalus nana
Amygdalus Persica
Aralia Spinosa
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi '.
Aristolochia sipho
Berberis Thunbergii
Berberis vulgaris
Berberis vulgaris var. purpurea..
May
Lyon's Buckeye
" Tree of Heaven"
European Alder
June Berry .. May
Japan Ivy
Virginia Creeper
Flowering Almond May
Peach Tree May
Angelica Tree August
Bear-Berry May
Dutchman's-Pipe Vine June
Japan Barberry May
Barberry May
Purple Barberry May
154
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Betula alba laciniata pendula Weeping White Birch
Betula lutea ..__ Grey Birch
Betula papyrifera Canoe Birch
Betula populifolia American White Birch.
Betula Youngii ... Young's Birch ...
Betula lenta-.- Sweet Black Birch-..
Month of t
ing- of specie
showy Ho
Buddleia cun iflora .. Buddleia August
Calycanthus floridus .__. Carolina Allspice June
Carpinus Americana Blue Beech
Caragana Siberica Siberian Pea...- . May
Caragana arborescens .. .. Siberian Pea Tree
Catalpa speciosa ... - Indian Bean
Catalpabignonioides Lilac-leaved Catalpa
Catalpa Kaempferii... .... Japanese Catalpa.. )une
Catalpa Bungei (nana) ... Chinese Catalpa ...
Caryaalba Shell-bark Hickory . ...
Celastrusscandens-... - Staff-tree, Bittersweet June
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry . . .
May
June
June
rimini »~n «» r ^,^= Month of bloor
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species wit
showy flower!
Cephalanthus occidentalis Button Bush August
Cercidophyllum Japonicum Katsura
Cercis Canadensis Judas-Tree— .. May
Chionanthus Virginica Fringe Tree June
Clematis -paniculate—. Japanese Virgin Bower .. August
Clematis Jackmanii ... ... Hybrid Virgin Bower August
Clematis Mme. Edward Andree Hybrid Virgin Bower August
Clematis Virginiana Virgin's Bower .. August
Clematis Viorna . Leather Flower July
Clethra alnifolia ... .... Sweet Pepper Bush -August
Cornus alba (stolonif era) Red Osier Dogwood June
Cornusalternifolia Blue Dogwood .. June
Cornus mascula Cornelian Cherry . April
Cornus sericea .. Silky Cornell ._ June
Cornus stricta Stiff Cornell May
Cornus paniculate Panicled Cornell June
Corylus Avellana Filbert
Corylus Avellana aurea Golden Hazel .
Corylus purpurea Purple Hazel
Crataegus coccinea .. American White Thorn .. June
Crataegus crus-galli Cock-spur Thorn June
Crataegus oxycantha... English Hawthorn . June
Cupressus Lawsoniana Oregon Cypress
Deutzia crenata flora plena Double Deutzia
Dimorphanthus Mandshuricus Aralia
Elaegnus longipes Oleaster, Silver Thorn ....
Euonymusalata Winged VVaahoo
Euonymus Americana Strawberry Bush
Euonymus Americana obovata Trailing Strawberry Bush .
Euonymus elata Erect Spindle Tree
Euonymus atropurpurea Burning Bush
Exochorda grandiflora Pearl Bush
Fagus sylvatica heterophylla.... Cut-leaved Beech
Fagus sylvatica purpurea _ Purple Beech
Fraxinus Americana White Ash
Fraxinus excelsior ... English Ash
Fraxinus excelsior aurea ... Golden English Ash
Fraxinus sambucifolia Black Ash
Forsythia suspensa .. Drooping Golden Bell May
Forsythia viridissima Golden Bell May
June
July
July
May
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
155
Month of bloom-
ing of species with
showy flowers.
Forsythia virid. variegata Yellow-leaved Golden Bell May
Gaultheria procumbens Wintergreen July
Gleditschia triacanthos Honey Locust
Gymnocladus Canadensis Kentucky Coffee Tree ■-
Halesia tetraptera Silver Bell June
Hibiscus Syriacus Rose of Sharon August
Hibiscus Syr. variegata Variegated Shrubby Althea August
Hippophae rhamnoides Sea Buck Thorn August
Hydrangea paniculata Japanese Hydrangea ..- August
Juglans cinerea Butternut
Juglans nigra Black Walnut
Juniperus Hibernica Irish Juniper
Juniperus Virginiana Red Cedar
Juniperus communis Common Juniper
Juniperus Sinensis Chinese Juniper
Juniperus Sabiria procumbens Trailing Juniper
Juniperus Sabina Vera . — Savin
Juniperus Sin. aurea Golden Juniper ■
Kerria Japonica variegata Corchorus May
Koelreuteria paniculata Varnish Tree
Laburnum Adami Golden Chain
Larix Americana American Larch
Ligustrum ovalifolium California Privet
Li gust rum vulgare Privet, Prim July
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweet Gum-- ■--
Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip-tree June
Lonicera orientalis Honeysuckle May
Lonicera parviflora Woodbine May
Lonicera Philomela? Philomela Honeysuckle May
Lonicera Tartarica Tartarian Honeysuckle May
Lonicera Tar. grandiflora Large flowered Tar. Honeysuckle May
Lonicera Xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle
Lycium vulgare Matrimony Vine
Magnolia Soulangeana Japanese Magnolia
Mahonia aquifolium Holly-leaved Barberry-
Menispermum Canadense _ Moon Seed Vine
Mespilus acuminata Medlar
Morus Tartarica Russian Mulberry
Morus Japonica Japanese Mulberry
Morus alba White Mulberry
May
July
May
June
May
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Negundo aceroides Box Elder
Neviusia Alabamansis Neviusia
Ostrya Virginica Hop Hornbeam, Iron Wood
Paulownia imperialis Empress Tree
Phellodendron Amurense Chinese Cork Tree
Philadelphia coronaria Mock Orange June
JWoccxVvo. ^<^<£CVv^ -£,
Philadelphus cor. aurea Golden-leaved Dwarf June
Philadelphia grandiflora Large flowered Mock Orange June
Philadelphus Gordoniana Late Mock Orange June
Philadelphus Zeyheri Dwarf Mock Orange June
Physocarpus opulifolius Nine-bark June
Physocarpus opu. aurea Golden Spiraea June
Picea Alcoquiana Alcock's Fir
Picea balsamea Balsam Fir
Picea Nordmanniana r --_ Nordmann's Fir
Picea pungens Blue Spruce
156
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
GENERA AND SPEC
Pin us Austriara
Pinus Banksiana
Pinus Mughus nana-
Pinus Strobus
Month of bloom-
ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. itlg of Species With
showy flowers.
Black Pine
Northern Scrub Pine
Knee Pine
White Pine
Month of bloon
ng of species wit
showy flowers
Pinus sylvestris
Platanus orientalis
Platanus occidentalis ..
Populus angulata
Populus monilifera
Populus Van Geerti
Populus Graeca
Scotch Pine
Common Plane Tree-.
Button Wood, Sycamore
Cotton Wood
Necklace Poplar
Golden Poplar
Athenian Poplar
ainli SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABIT
Populus alba— Abele, silver leaf .
Populus alba Bolleana Pyramidal silver leaf
Populus dilatata Lombardy Poplar. .
Populus Candicans Balm of Gilead Poplar
Prunus Armeniaca Apricot Apri i
Prunus Americana Wild Plum May
Prunus Pissardi p urple P]um
Prunus triloba Double Flowering Plum— May
Prunus padus Bird Cherry May
Prunus pumila Sand Cherry May
Prunus pum. pendula Weeping Sand Cherry May
Prunus Pennsylvania Wild Red Cherry
Prunus serotina ... Wild Black Cherry
Prunus Virginiana Choke Cherry
Prunus Cerasus Common Cherry
Prunus Cerasus serrulata Double White Chinese Cherry.
Prunus Cer. Sinensis fl. pi Double Flowering Cherry—
Ptelea trifoliata Hop Tree j un
Pteleatrif.aurea— Golden Wafer Ash. ... June
Pyrus Mains-... Apple Tree .. May
Pyrus Malusfloribunda Dwarf Flowering Apple May
Pyrus (Sorbus) Americana American Mountain Ash May
Pyrus (Sorbus) aucuparia pend Weeping Mountain Ash. .. . .. May
Pyrus spectabilis (sinensis) Chinese Apple .. May
Pyrus (Cydonia)Japonica Maulea-... Japan Quince May
Pyrus (Cydonia)Japonica Fire-thorn ._ May
Pyrus arbutifolia — . Choke Berry
Pyrus coronaria .. American Crab Apple ..
May
May
May
May
May
May
Pyrus coronaria floreplena Double Crab Apple
Pyrus fennica (pinnatifida) Oak-leaved Mountain Ash..
Quercus alba — White Oak
Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak ...
Quercus cerris English Turkey Oak--.
Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak
Quercus imbricaria Laurel Oak
Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak
Quercus robur English Oak
Quercus robur Concordia Golden-leaved English Oak
Quercus rubra Red Oak
Quercus palustris Pin Oak
June
May
May
June
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
157
Month of blooni-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy riowers.
Quercus tinctoria Quercitron, Black Oak
Retinospora filifera Japan Cypress
Retinospora squarrosa (Chamaecyparis)
Retinospora obtusa (Chamcecyparis)
Retinospora plumosa (Chamrecyparis)
Rhamnus Cathartica' Buck Thorn
Rhodotypus Kerrioides White Kerria June
Rhus Cotinus Smoke Tree June
Rhus Canadensis (aromatica) ... May
Rhus typhina Staghorn Sumach
Rhus Osbeekii semialata Javan Sumach
Ribes Oxycanthoides Wild Gooseberry
Ribes aureum Buffalo Currant May
Robinia pseudacacia Black Locust June
Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Brier June
Rosa Wichuriana Creeping Rose August
Rosa " Crimson Rambler "
Rosa rubrifolia Purple-leaved Rose June
Rosa rugosa Russian Rose August
Rubus Crataegifolia Haw-leaved Blackberry
Salisburia adiantifolia Maiden Hair Tree
Salix alba White Willow
Salix Babylonica Weeping Willow
Salix Caprea Goat Willow
Salix fragilis Crack Willow
Salix Japonica Japanese Willow
Salix nigra Black Willow
Salix purpurea Purple Willow
Salix rosmarinifolia Rosemary-leaved Willow
Salix Sieboldiana Siebold's Willow
Salix vitellina Golden Sallow
Sambucus Canadensis Elder --- June
Sambucus Can. aurea Golden Elder June
Sassafras officinal is Sassafras May
Solanum Dulcamara Bittersweet August
Spiraea Aruncus Goat's-beard July
Spiraea Billardi July
Spiraea Bumalda July
Spiraea Bum. Anthony Waterer July
Spiraea Reevesii fl. pi. Japan June
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Spiraea canescens July
Spiraea sorbifolia Siberia July
Spiraea Thunbergii Japan May
Spiraea Van Houtei May
Spiraea ulmifolia June
Symphoricarpos racemosa Snowberry July
Symphoricarpos vulgaris Coral Berry July
Syringa alba White Lilac May
Syringa Japonica Japan Lilac June
Syringa Persica Persian Lilac May
Syringa Josikaea Hungarian Lilac. June
Syringa vulgaris Common Lilac May
Staph ylea pinnata Bladder-nut June
Tamarix Africana African Tamarisk June
Tamarix Gallica French Tamarisk June
Tecoma radicans Trumpet Creeper Augu
Thuya occidentalis Arbor Vitae
158
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Thuya occidentalis aurea... Golden Arbor Vita;
Tilia Americana Basswood
Tilia argentea (Europaea) Silver-leaved Linden !
Tilia Europsa _. Linden
Tilia heterophylla - American White Basswood.
Tsuga Canadensis . Hemlock Spruce
Month of bloon
ing of species wit
showy flowers
May
Ulmus monta
Ulmus mont
Ulm
Ulmus alata.... Winged Elm
Uimus Americana.., White Elm.
Ulmus campestris .... English Elm .
ius camp, monumental is Monumental Elm. ...
ana-... Wych E , m
anapendula— Weeping Wych Elm.
us racemosa— . __ Rock Elm
Ulmus stricta ... __ Cornish Elm..
Viburnum lantana... Rough-leaved Viburnum
V iburnum lentago ... ._ _. S heep Berry
Viburnum opulus — Cranberry Tree.
urn opulus sterilis ... ..... Guelder Rose, Snowball . Mav
urnum pl.catum.-. -— Chinese Viburnum ... Tun
urnum plicatum aureum Japanese Viburnum i un
urnum prunifoliura ... -- Black Haw m„
Vibu
Vibu
Vib
Vib
May
May
May
. Month of Bloom-
ing of speck's with
showy Howers.
"■ ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT
Vitis aestivalis ... Summer Grape
Vms nparia Wild Grape -._...
Weigela rosea... - (Dier villa) ..
Xanthoxylum Americana Prickly Ash .
Yucca filamentosa Adam , s Need]e ™
June
gust
HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Achillea millefolium
Achillea ptarmica
Achillea ptarmica " Pearl " . .
Aconitum uncinatum
Acorus Japonicus fol. varieg.
Agrimonia Eupatoria
Allium Neapolitanicum
Allium tricoccum
Althea rosea
Yarrow
Sneezewort .
June
July
July
July
July
July
August
August
September
May
- Wild Monkshood August
- Sweet Flag
- Agrimony
- Flowering Onion
Wild Leek
Althea Taurinensis- .! SanAlVhea"
Amphicarpae monoica Hog Peanut
Anemone Apennina... Apennine Wind-flower...
Anemone Japomca ... Japanese Wind-flower September
Anemone Japonica alba.... September
Anemone Lady Ardilaun " September
Anemone nemorosa Wo " od ~~~ "l" M a P v ! 6mber
Anemone Pennsylvanica . " y
Anemone Hepatica triloba Liver-leaf"!."." '"" {T*
Anemone Hepatica acutiloba M
Apocynumcannabinum--. Indian Hemp-----^ .'!,,
Aquilegia Canadensis WiW Columbine.
Aquilegia Coerulea Rocky Mountains.. ...
Aquilegia lutea
Aquilegia vulgaris— . England .
Aquilegia Skinned Guatemala....
Aquilegia William's Hybrid
Aquilegia grandiflora alba R oc ky Mountains!."."."""""
Aquilegia glandulosa Siberia ' A
Aralia racemosa ... Spikenard!.".".".."."." "" A "^'
Aralia Cachemirica ... Cashmere aralia ."! Seoten h„-
Armeria vulgaris "Thrift" ^eptembei
Artemisia absinthum Wormwood!!!!!!!! !!.! .!!!. !! August
May
June
June
June
June
June
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
'59
GENERA AND SPECIES.
ENGLISH NAME-- .
Artemisia ludoviciana _ Western Mugwort .
Artemisia annua .
Artemisia biennis
Artemisia Canadensis Sea Wormwood
Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly weed
Asparagus officinalis Garden asparagus
Aster alpinus Blue daisy
Aster Amellus — .- Italian Starwort
Aster cordifolius Heart-leaved Aster
Aster corymbosus.
Aster dumosus
Aster laevis Smooth Aster
Aster linariifolius (Ionactis) Double-bristled Aster
Aster grandiflorus
Aster multiflorus Many Flowered Aster
Aster Novae-Angliae New England Aster
Aster Novae-Angliae alba.
Aster Novae-Angliae rosea
Aster novi belgii
Aster oblongifolius
Aster polyphyllus
Aster prenanthoides '.-.
Aster puniceus
Aster sagittifolius Arrow-leaved Aster
Aster sericeus Satin-leaved Aster
Aster spectabilis —
Aster surculosus
Aster tenuifolius
Aster trinervis
Aster Townshendii
Aster turbinel! us
Aster ptarmicoides
Aster umbellatus
Argemone platyceras Prickly Poppy
Alsine Michauxii Sandwort
Actaea alba Bane-berry
Anemonella thalictroides Rue-anemone --
Antennaria plantaginifolia Plantain-leaved Everlasting.
Arisaema triphyllum Indian Turnip
lonth of bloom-
of species with
showy flowers.
August
August
September
August
July
August
July
August
August
August
July
September
August
September
September
September
August
August
August
September
August
September
September
September
August
August
August
August
September
October
August
August
September
August
August
June
June
May
May
May
\i:ka ami >ri-:t ihs.
Arisaema Dracontium Green Dragon
Asarum Canadense
Alisma plantago
Adiantum pedatum
Asplenium Filix-foemina
Month of bio
ing of species \
showy flowe
June
Wild Ginger May
Water Plantain August
Maiden Hair
Lady-fern .
Belamcanda sinensis Blackberry Lily August
Bell is perennis Daisy June
Bocconia cordata Tree Celandine August
Boltonia latisquama Boltonia September
Botrychium ternatum — Moonwort
Botrychium ternatum dissectum
Brunella vulgaris Self-heal July
Barbarea vulgaris Winter cress June
i6o
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Bidens frondosa Stick-tight
Bidensbipinnata Spanish Needles
Buphthalmum grandiflorum- Ox-eye August
Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold May
Callirhoe involucrata Glade Mallow August
Camassia Fraseri Wild Hyacinth June
Campanula Americana Bell-flower August
Campanula persicafolia Peach-leaved Bellflower August
Campanula Van Houtei August
Chionodoxas lucillae Glory-of-the-Snow May
Cicuta maculata Beaver-poison
Claytonia Virginica Spring Beauty May
Colchicum autumnale Meadow saffron September
Coreopsis grandiflora Tick seed July
Coreopsis lanceolata June
Coreopsis lanceolata angustifolia June
Crambe cordifolia Sea Kale June
Caulophyllum thalictroides Blue cohosh May
Cassia marilandica Wild Senna August
Cynoglossum officinale Hound's Tongue
Chrysanthemum leucanthenum White Weed August
Chrysanthemum maximum August
Centaurea macrocephala August
Convolvulus Sepium Bindweed .- ._ August
Convolvulus arvensis August
Cerastium viscosum Mouse-ear Chick-weed
Circaea Lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade
Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley May
Capsella Bursa-Pastoris Shepherd's Purse
Chelone glabra Balmony / August
Cystopteris fragilis Bladder Fern _
Camptosorus rhizophyllus Walking-leaf Fern
Delphinium bicolor Larkspur June
Delphinium formosum June
Delphinium elatum Bee Larkspur June
Delphinium hybrids June
Delphinium Sinensis Chinese Larkspur July
Dianthus barbatus . Sweet William July
Dianthus plumarius Scoticus Feather Pink August
Dicentra cucularia Dutchman's Breeches May
ENGLISH NAME
Month of bloom
ing of species wit!
showy flowers
... May
August
Dicentra Canadensis Squirrel Corn
Digitalis purpurea Fox Glove
Dioscorea villosa Wild Yam
Dipsacus sylvestris Wild Teasel August
Dodecatheon Meadia Shooting Star May
Dolichos Japonica Kudzu Vine
Doronicum Clusii Leopard's Bone June
Dictamnusfraxinella Fraxinella Gas Plant August
Dryopteris spinulosum intermed. Evergreen Shield Fern
Dryopteris simulata
Desmodium Canadense Tick-trefoil September
Desmodium Illinoense, Gray August
Desmndium penduliflorum (Lespedeza bicolor) August
Dactylis glomerata Orchard Grass
Echinops ritro Globe Thistle August
Echinops Sphaerocephalus August
Erigeron annuus June
Erigeron Philadelphicus Daisy Flea Bane June
Erigeron Speciosus (Stenactis) July
Eryngium amethystinum Dalmatian Eryngo August
Eulalia Japonica
Eulalia Zebrina Zebra Grass
Eulalia gracillima
Eupatorium ageratoides White Snake-root August
Eupatorium perforatum Boneset August
Eupatorium purpureum Joe Pye Weed August
Echium plantagineum Plantain-leaved Bugloss August
Echinospermum Virginicum Beggars Lice
Eleusine Indica Dog's-tail Grass
Epilobium angustifolium Fire Weed July
Erythronium albidum Dog-tooth Violet, white May
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel August
Funkia subcordata Plantain Lily August
Funkia undulata August
Gaillardia Lawrenciana Blanket Flower August
Gaillardia Templeana August
Galium Ci rcaezans Bedstraw
Galium triflorum Sweet Bedstraw
Geranium maculatum Wild Cranesbill May
Geranium platypetalum June
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
161
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species With
Geum atrococcineum August
Geum grandiflorum August
Goodyera pubescens Rattlesnake Plantain August
Gypsophila paniculata Chalk-plant August
Gypsophila perfoliata August
Gerardiaquercifolia Smooth False Foxglove August
Gentiana Andrewsii Closed Gentian September
Gentiana Tibetica Thibetan Gentian
Hemerocallis flava Yellow Day-lily July
Hemerocallis fulva Tawny Day-lily July
Hemerocallis fulva fl. pi Kwanso Day-lily July
Hemerocallis Sieboldii June
Hemerocallis Thunbergii . July
Helianthus decapetalus Wild Sunflower August
Helianthus doronicoides August
Helianthus grosse-serratus August
Helianthus multiflorus Dwarf double Sunflower August.
Helianthus orgyalis September
Helianthus microcephalus August
Helianthus rigidus August
Helenium autumnal e Sneeze Weed September
Helenium autumnale grandiflorum — August
Helenium grandicephalum striatum-- September
Heliopsis laevis Ox-eye August
Heracleum eminens Cow-parsnip July
Heuchera sanguines Scarlet Alum-root August
Hibiscus Californica California Rose Mallow August
Hibiscus militaris Halbert-leaved Rose Mallow August
Humulus lupulus Hop Vine
Humulus lupulus Jap. varieg Variegated Hop
Hyacinthus candicans Galtonia August
Hydrophyllum Yirginicum Water Leaf June
Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Hairy Water Leaf June
Hypericum maculatum Spotted St. John's- Wort July
Hypericum Moserianum Large flowered St. John's-Wort._ August
Heleochloa Schenoides
Iberis corraefolia Hardy Candytuft June
Inula Helenium Elecampane August
Iris Germanica Flower-de-luce June
Iris Japonica June
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Iris Sibirica June
Iris Kaempferi July
Iris Tondel June
Isatis tinctoria Woad
Lamium amplexicaule Dead-nettle
Lamiumpurpureum ■-
Lathy rus latifolius Perennial Sweet Pea.
Lepachys pinnata
Liatris cylindracea Button-Snakeroot
July
August
August
August
August
August
l62
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Mouth of bloom
showy flowers.
Liatris pycnostachya — Gay-feather- August
Liatris spicata August
Lilium Brownii --- Brown's Lily August
Lilium candidum ___ White Lily . August
Lilium Carniolicum Lily of Carniola August
Lilium Croceum Orange Lily August
Lilium Dalmaticum — August
Lilium Hansonii August
Lilium lanceolatum roseum .. August
Lilium lanceolatum album August
Lilium lanci folium punctatum Spotted Lily
Lilium longiflorum Trumpet Lily August
Lilium Michauxianum J
Lilium Pardalinum Roerlii
Lilium punctatum — .
Lilium rubrum . August
Lilium Schrymakersii August
Lilium superbum Wood Lily July
Lilium tigrinum Tiger Lily August
Lilium tigrinum fl. pi. August
Lilium tigrinum splendens August
Lilium Thunbergianum (Venustum).- :
Lilium Van Houtei —
Lilium Umbel latum, gr. fir August
Lilium Umbellatum Davuricum
erectum ;
Lilium L T mbel latum incomparabilis- - August
Lobelia Cardinalis - — ' Cardinal Flower July
Lobelia syphilitica — . Blue Cardinal _. ! August
Lobelia syphilitica rosea — August
Lychnis Chalcedonica -- London Pride August
Lychnis Chalcedonica alba August
Lychnis Haageana ■ August
Lychnis plenissima August
Lycopus sinuata Water Horehound August
Lycopus Virginicus Bugle-weed ... August
Lophanthus Nepetoides Giant Hyssop August
Lithospermum arvense Corn Cromwell :.--
Laportea Canadensis .. Wood-nettle -
Lavatera Cachemirica. Tree Mallow .-. August
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy flowers.
Lepidium Virginicum Wild pepper-grass
Malva rotundifolia Common Mallow June
Melilotus albus . . Bokara Clover _. July
Melilotus officinalis Sweet clover July
Mentha Canadensis Wild Mint June
Mentha Viridis Spearmint July
Mertensia Virginica Smooth Lungwort May
Mitel la diphylla Bishop's Cap May
Monarda didyma Oswego Tea July
Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot-.: August
Montbretia Crocosmia flora Tritonia August
Myosotis palustris Forget-me-not
Mollugo verticillata Carpet Weed August
Marrubium vulgare Horehound
Mentzelia ornata Mentzelia September
Mitchella repens Partridge Berry June
Narcissus Jonquilla Jonquils May
Narcissus poeticus Poet's Narcissus May
Narcissus pseudo-narcissus Daffodil May
Narcissus tazetta-polyanthos Polyanthus Narcissus May
Nasturtium montanum Japan Mountain Cress July
Nasturtium palustre Marsh Cress July
Nepeta Glechoma. Ground Ivy August
Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose August
Oenothera rosea- August
Oenothera Missouriensis --- August
Oenothera YoungiL Young's Evening Primrose August
Oenothera spectabilis Showy Evening Primrose August
Onopordon acanthi um Down-thistle August
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern
Opuntia Missouriensis Prickly Pear August
Origanum vulgare Marjoram August
Osmorhiza brevistylis .. Hairy Sweet Cicely June
Osmorhiza longistylis Sweet Cicely June
Pachy sandra terminal is Mountain Spurge
Poeonia Chinensis Chinese Pseony June
Paeonia officinalis -- Common Pseony June
Paeonia Tenuifolia Fern-leaved Paeony May
Papaver orientale Perennial Poppy June
Pentstemon barbatus Bearded Pentstemon August
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
163
showy flowers.
Pentstemon digitalis Beard-tongue August
Pentstemon laevigatus Smooth Beard-tongue August
Pentstemon pubescens Downy Beard-tongue August
Phlox decussata varieties Cross-leaf Phlox July
Phlox divaricata Wood Phlox May
Phlox divaricata alba White Wood Phlox May
Phlox bifida Sand Phlox May
Phlox pilosa . Summer Wild Phlox June
Phlox subulata --- Moss Phlox May
Phlox hybrids -. '-
Physostegia Virginiana False Dragon's-head July
Platycodon Japonicum Double Platycodon August
Platycodon grandiflorum Chinese Bell-flower August
Platycodon Mariesii Dwarf Bell-flower August
Podophyllum pel tat um May-apple May
Polemonum reptans American Greek Valerian June
Potentilla Norvegica Cinquefoil
Potentilla Canadensis "Five-fingers"
Potentilla Pyrenaica Pyrenean Cinquefoil
Potentilla Anserina Silver Weed
Primula vulgaris Common Primrose July
Primula veris Polyanthus
Pycnanthemum lanceolatum Mountain Mint August
Pyrethrum roseum Rosy Pyrethrum August
Pyrethrum uliginosum Giant Daisy September
Phytolacca decandra Pigeon Berry, Poke Root September
Phryma leptostachya Lopseed August
Petalostemon violaceus Prairie Clover August
Prenanthes raceniosa Rattlesnake Root September
Prenanthes alba White Lettuce September
Plantago lanceolata Rib-grass August
Plantago major __. Plantain July
Pedicularis Canadensis Wood Betony May
Phragmites communis Reed
Polygala polygama Milk-Wort June
Pyrola rotundifolia Shin-leaf June
Polygonatum biflorum Smaller Solomon's Seal May
Polygonum Sachalinense "Sachaline" August
Polygonum Hartwrightii Knot-weed August
Pteris aquilina Brake
164
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Rudbeckia fulgida " Black-eyed Susan "
Rudbeckia hirta -■ Cone-flower
Rudbeckia laciniata Tall Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia laciniata flore plena "Golden Glow"
Rudbeckia speciosa Showy Cone-flower
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Rumex acetosella Sheep-sorrel
Rumex crispus Curled Dock, Yellow Dock -
Rumex Patientia- -- Patience Dock
Ruta graveolens . Garden Rue
Ranunculus repens Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus Small-flowered Crowfoot ---
Scilla Sibirica Siberian Squill ,
Scilla hyacinthoides - Hyacinth Squill- - '.
Scrophularia nodosa Marilandica Fig wort
Scrophularia aquatica Brookside Figwort
Scutellaria parvula Tuberous Skullcap
Scutellaria galericulata Helmet Skullcap
Sedum spectabile Showy Stone-crop
Sedum acre Wall Pepper ...
Silphium integrifolium Smaller Rosin Weed
Silphium laciniatum Compass Plant
Silphium terebinthinaceum Prairie Dock
Silphium perfoliatum Cup Plant
Sium cicutafolium Water Parsnip-
Smilax rotundifolia Cat Brier
Smilax peduncularis
Smilax herbacea Carrion Flower
Solidago Canadensis Golden Rod
Solidago speciosa
Solidago caesia Blue-stem Golden rod
Solidago gigantea
Solidago lanceolata
Solidago latifolia
Solidago Ohioensjs
Solidago patula Swamp Golden Rod .
Solidago nemoralis Low Golden Rod
Solidago Riddelli -
Solidago rigida Stout Golden Rod
Solidago rugosa
showy flowers showy flowers.
July Solidago serotina August
July Solidago tenuifolia : September
August Solidago ulmifolia September
August Spiraea filipendula Dropwort August
July Spiraea Japonica Astilbe July
August Spiraea palmata Palmate Spiraea -_. August
June Spiraea ulmaria Meadow Sweet August
July Stachys palustris Swamp Hedge Nettle August
August Steironema ciliata Fringed Loosestrife ... July
August Sisyrinchium angustifolium Blue-eyed Grass May
May Smilacina racemosa False Spikenard May
May Smilacina stellata False Solomon's Seal May
April Saxifraga Pennsylvania Swamp Saxifrage June
June Sanicula Marilandica Black Snake Root July
July Sparganium eurycarpum Bur-reed
August Sagittaria variabilis Arrow-head August
August Scirpus lacustris Great Bulrush
August Scirpus Tabernaemontani zebrina — Banded Rush
August Scabiosa Caucasica Scabionus ■-
August Sanguinaria Canadensis Blood-root April
August Tanacetum balsamita Costmary August
August Tanacetum vulgare Tansy August
August Thalictrum cornuti Meadow Rue June
August Thalictrum dioicum Smaller Meadow Rue June
August Tradescantia Virginica Spider Wort June
Tricyrtis hirta Japanese Toad-lily August
Trillium grandiflorum American Wood-lily May
Trillium cernuum : Nodding Wake-robin . _ May
August Trillium recurvatum Purple Birthroot May
September Tritoma uvaria Torch Lily, Red Hot Poker August
September Trollius Europaeus Globe Flower May
August Trollius Japonicus Japan Globe Flower May
August Teucrium Scorodonium - Germander, France August
September Tephrosia Virginiana Goat's Rue, Catgut .. . August
September Typha latifolia Cat-tail
August Uvularia perfoliata Bellwort May
August Uvularia grandiflora May
September Verbascum phlomoides Woolly Mullein August
August Veronica serpyllifolia Speedwell--- August
August Viola canina Dog Violet June
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
.6 S
GENERA AND SPECIES.
showy flowers.
Viola cucullata Common Blue Violet--- -- May
Viola pedata Bird-foot Violet June
Viola pubescens Downy Yellow Violet May
Viola rotundifolia Round-leaved Violet May
Viola odoratA Russian Sweet Violet June
Zygadenus glaucus ... August
Zizia aurea .Meadow Parsnip .. -- May
SELF-SEEDING ANNUALS AND SPONTANEOUS PLANTS
Acnida tuberculata Water Hemp September
Adlumia cirrhosa Mountain Fringe-- July
Anagallis arv. carnea Poor Man's Weather-glass August
Antennaria plantaginifolia Mouse-ear Plantain
Atriplex hastatum Orache _"
Amaranthus speciosus Amaranth
Amaranthus retroflexus - Pigweed
Amaranthus albus - Tumble Weed
Amaranthus blitoides Creeping Amaranth
Ambrosia trifida Great Ragweed-.
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia Bitter Weed ..
Antirrhinum major (Red) — Snap-dragon August
Arctium lappa - Burdock August
Abutilon Avicennae Velvet-leaf •_. August
Acalypha Virginica Three-seeded Mercury
Aster angustus Blind aster
Borago officinalis Borrage August
Browalia elata Browalia August
Brachycome iberidifolia Swan River Daisy -- July
Brassica nigra Black Mustard — June
Commelina coelestis Blue Spiderwort '. .. August
Commelina "lentenola" August
Cuphea viscosissima Clammy Cuphea August
Cuphea Roeziii ..__ Roezl's Cuphea August
Cuphea ignea Cigar plant May
Cuscuta arvensis ... Dodder .
Celosia plumosa Cock's comb August
Cakile Americana .. Sea Rocket -_ June
Chrysanthemum segetum. . Mountains, Westphalia July
Cenchrus tribuloides Bur-grass
showy flow
Centaurea cyanus Blue Bottle August
Campanula Medium Calyc Canterbury Bell ... August
Clarkia elegans---! ..... Clarkia ... August
Calendula officinalis .- Pot- Marigold August
Cannabis sativa Hemp
ANTHER1CUM VITTATUM VARIEGATU
Chenopodium album . ... "Lamb's Quarters".
Chenopodium glaucum . . _ _ Oak-leaved Goose Foot
Chenopodium hybrid urn. Maple-leaved Goose Foot .
Chenopodium urbicum
Draba verna .. Whitlow Grass
Datura Tatula .... ..... Purple Thorn-apple - August
Delphinium ajacis ... .. Rocket-Larkspur August
Echinocystis lobata Wild Balsam-Apple August
Ellisia nyctelea . .. June
Erodium cicutarium .. . Stork-bill, Pin-clover June
Euphorbia peplus .. Spurge -- August
Euphorbia maculata Spotted Spurge . ... August
[66
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Month of bloom-
ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of species with
showy flowers.
Erechtites hieracifolia Fire-weed- — August
Erigeron Canadensis Horse-weed
Eiclihornia crassipes Water Hyacinth August
Fumaria officinalis — Fumitory July
Fragaria Virginiana Strawberry May
Gypsophila muralis Small Chalk Plant August
Galinsoga parviflorum South America : August
Grindelia squarrosa ----■ August
Gazania splendens Cape Treasure Flower - - ... August
Godetia gloriosa August
Geranium Carol inianum. Carolina Crane's bill June
Helianthus annuus Sunflower August
Hunnemania fumariafolia . Mexico September
Impatiens fulva. . - Jewel-weed July
Impatiens Balsamina Touch-me-not August
Lactuca scariola Prickly Lettuce August
Leonurus cardiaca Motherwort-- August
Malva sylvestris " Fall Roses"---- - — -- August
Maruta cotula May-weed '_. July
Malvastrum liminense Lima Mallow . August
Mimulus ringens Wild Mask-flower August
Nicotiana affinis Long-flowered Tobacco July
Nicotiana Tabacum Virginia Tobacco August
Nierembergia gracilis . South America "
Oenothera Skinneri Evening Primrose August
Polygonum dumetorum - Climbing False Buckwheat - -
Polygonum persicaria - Lady's thumb
Polygonum aviculare Door- weed
Polygonum hydropiper Smart-weed
Pileapumila Clear- weed
Perilla Nankinensis Perilla September
Pentstemon campanulatus Garden Pentstemon -- August
Phlox Drummondii Annual Phlox August
Pennisetum longistylum. Abyssinia
Portulacca grandiflora Rose-moss July
Portulacca oleracea Purslane July
Poa annua Low speargrass
Rudbeckia bicolor August
Ricinus communis Castor Bean
Month of bloom-
GENERA AND SPECIES. ENGLISH NAMES AND HABITAT. ing of Species with
showy Mowers.
Stellaria Meadia Chick-weed -
Sicyos angulatus One Seeded Cucumber
Silene Armeria Sweet William Catchfly August
Silene antirrhina Sleepy Catchfly June
Silene noctiflora Night-flowering Catchfly July
Solanum nigrum Nightshade July
Sisymbrium officinale HedgeMustard July
Saponaria officinalis "Bouncing Bet" August
Sonchus asper Spring Sow Thistle August
Salvia splendens Scarlet Sage July
Salvia tiliafolia Linden-leaved Sage August
Silybum Marianum Mariana Thistle September
Tragopogon pratense Goat-beard June
Trifolium repens White Clover June
Trifolium pratense Red Clover June
Trifolium hybridum Alsike
Taraxacum officinale Dandelion May
Viola tricolor Pansy
Verbena rugosa August
Verbena urticaefolia White Vervain August
Verbena hastata Blue Vervain August
Xanthium Canadense ._ Cockle Bur
HARDY AQUATICS AND BOG PLANTS
Nelumbium roseum Lotus August
Nelumbium album August
Nelumbium striatum August
Nymphaea alba candidissima White Water Lily August
Nyraphaea alba August
Nymphaea Laydekeri rosea
Nymphaea Marliacea Chromatella — ■.
Nymphaea Marliacea carnea
Nymphaea Marliacea albida
Nymphaea Marliacea rosea
Nymphaea odorata rosea
Nymphaea tuberosa
Nuphar advena Spatter Dock .- ]u]y
Sarracenia purpurea Huntsman's Cup June
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
167
TENDER AQUATICS
Cyperus alternifolius. -1 Umbrella Plant
Cyperus Papyrus Egyptian Paper Reed -
Limnocharis Humboldtii --- Water Poppy
Myriophyllum Proserpinacoides Parrot's Feather
Nymphasa dentata
Nympha?a Devoniensis
Nymphsea Zanzibarensis
Nvmphaea Zanzibarensis azurea
Nymphasa rubra
Nymphasa scutifolia
Sagittaria Montevidensis Giant Arrowhead
Thalia dealbata
Victoria Regia Royal Water Lily
FERNS (EXOTIC).
Acrostichum flagelliferum India
Acrostichum tenuifolium South Africa
Adiantum bellum Bermuda
Adiantum CapillusA-'eneris Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum concinnum Tropical America
Adiantum cuneatum .... — Brazil
Adiantum Farleyense Barbadoes
Adiantum Fergusonii - Ceylon
Adiantum formosum Australia
Adiantum gracillimum Hybrid
Adiantum macrophyllum Tropical America
Adiantum princeps New Grenada
Adiantum pubescens Tropics, Old World
Adiantum tinctum Tropical America
Adiantum trapeziforme West Indies
Alsophila australis Australian Tree Fern
Angiopteris evecta Tropics, Asia
Aspidium aculeatum --- Shield Fern (Hardy)
Aspidium angulare Soft Shield Fern
Aspidium aristatum New South Wales
Aspidium Capense Natal
Aspidium falcatum (Cyrtomium) Holly Fern
Aspidium lepidocaulon , Japan
Aspidium Tsus-Simense Tsus-Sima Japa
Aspidium lepidum -, Brazil
Asplenium Australasicum Spleenwort
Asplenium bulbiferum New Zealand
Asplenium esculentum India
Asplenium Fabian um (bulbiferum)
Asplenium lucidum New Zealand
Asplenium Nidus Bird's nest Fern
Asplenium viviparum Plant-bearing Spleenwort
Blechnum Braziliense Brazilian
Blechnum australe South Africa
Blechnum occidentale West Indies
Cibotium regale "Chignon" Fern
Cyathea dealbata New Zealand
Davalliaaffinis Ceylon
Davallia canadensis Hare's Foot Fern
Davalliadubia Australia
Davallia Fijiensis plumosa Fiji Islands
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Davallia hirta cristata --- North India
Davallia Mooreana (pallida) Borneo
Davallia platyphylla East Indies
Davallia scabra Ceylon
Davallia tenuifolia (stricta) .__ --- Tropical Asia
Dicksonia an tallica Tasmanian Tree Fern
Dicksonia cicutaria - West Indies
Dicksonia Schiedeii Mexico
Didymochlaena lunulata Tropical America
Gymnogramme argyrophylla (Peruviana) Silver Fern
Gymnogramme chrysophylla (calomelanos Gold Fern
Gymnogramme Peruviana (calomelanos) - Tropics
Lomaria gibba New Caledonia
Lomaria princeps
Nephrodium macrourum . --. — ■- - - Buckler Fern
Nephrodium molle Tropics
Nephrodium mode grandiceps Crested Buckler Fern
Xephrolepis Bostoniensis Boston Sword Fern
Nephrolepis Collingerii .. ...
Xephrolepis davalioides furcans...
Nephrolepis Durfii . .. Duke of York Island
Nephrolepis exaltata Sword F"ern
Nephrolepis pectinat. i ' ... -- - Tropical America
Nephrolepis Philipinensis - Philippines
Nephrolepis rufesceus tripinnatitida
Nephrolepis tuberosa Tropical America
Onychium Japonicum . ... . -.__.. Japan, China
Platycerium alcicorne. Elk-horn Fern
Polypodium aureum - Golden Polypody
Polypodium distans -- --.- Northern India
Polypodium fraxini folium - Columbia
Polypodium Korthalsii .-- Sumatra
Polypodium lingua (heteractis) - Tongue Polypody
Polypodium repens '. ... West Indies
Polypodium subauriculatum (Goniophlebium) Himalayas
Polypodium superticiale . --... Mts. Northern India
Pteris argyrea (quadriaurila , Silver Brake
Pteris Cretica ... ._- Cretan Brake
Pteris Cretica albo-lineata ---
Pteris flabellata South Africa
Pteris longifolia ... - .- Tropics
Pteris nobilis South Brazil
Pteris palmata Tropical America
Pteris quadriaurita Tropics
Pteris serrulata Chinese Brake
Pteris serrulata cristata
Pteris serrulata tenuifolia
Pteris pungens West Indies
Pteris tremula Australia
Pteris tremula Smithiana
Pteris tremula Hybrid '__ Lincoln Park
Pteris triplicata
Scolopendrium vulgare Hart's Tongue Fern
Wood ward ia ori en talis .__ Chain Fern
PALMS
Areca lutescens Mauritius Palm
Arenga saccharifera . Molucca Sugar Palm
Attalea excelsa Brazil
Carludovica palmata Panama Hat Palm
Caryota Blancae
Caryota sobolifera Malacca
Caryota urens Fish Tail Palm
Chamaedorea elegans Mexico
Chamaedorea Martiana Chipias
Chamaerops hum it is Dwarf Palm
Chamaerops elegans
Cocos austral is Cocoanut Tree
Cocos plumosa .-!_ Brazil
Cocos Romanzoffiana . Brazil
Cocos Weddel liana .. Dwarf cocoa nut
Corypha australis .-- Fan Palm, Australia
Curculigo recurvata Weevil Plant
Didymosperma porphyrocarpon . — Java
Geonoma Verschaffeltii Mexico
Hyophorbe Verschaffeltii Mascarene Islands
Howea Belmoreana Curly Palm
Julxea spectabilis Coquito Palm, Chili
Latania Borbonica Isle of Bourbon Palm
Licuala horrida Indian Archipelago
Livistonia Chinensis South China
Ptychosperma Cunninghamii Illawarra Palm
Ptychosperma Alexandra Queensland Feather Palm
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Ptychosperma McArthurii New Guinea
Phcenix dactyl if era Date Palm
Phoenix tenuis Slender Date Palm
Phcenix rupicola India
Phoenix reclinata Southeast Africa
Pritchardia grandis .. New Britain
Pritchardia Pacifica Pacific Islands
Rhopalostylis Bauerii Norfolk Island
Rhapis flabelliformis Ground Rattan Cane
Rhapis humilis Japan
Sabal palmetto Cabbage Palmetto, S. U. S.
Sabal Adansonii Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal cerulescens . Bluish Palmetto
Trachycarpus excelsus China
Washingtonia filifera Southern California
ORCHIDS.
^Erides Fieldingii " Fox Brush /Brides "
Burlingtonia fragrans .. Brazil
Cattleya amethystina South America
Cattleya Bowringiana
Cattleya bicolor Brazil
Cattleya crispa Brazil
Cattleya gigas Tropical America
Cattleya guttata Brazil
Cattleya labiata Brazil
Cattleya intermedia Brazil
Cattleya Mendellii South America
Cattleya Mossia? La Guayra
Cattleya Perrinii
Cattleya Percivaliana
Cattleya Schilleriana Brazil
Cattleya Skinnerii Guatemala
Cattleya Trianas Cordilleras, S. Am.
Cattleya velutina Brazil
Cypripedium Almum Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium Arthurian um
Cypripedium Boxallii ._ India
Cypripedium Calurum
Cypripedium Crossianum Peru
Cypripedium Charlesworthii
I/O
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Cypripedium Domihianum
Cypripedium Chamberlainianum 7
Cypripedium grande
Cypripedium Harrisianum Hybrid
Cypripedium hirsutissimum
Cypripedium Hayualdianum Philippines
Cypripedium in sign e Nepaul
Cypripedium Leanum lutescens .--
Cypripedium Leanum longiflorum
Cypripedium leucorhodum ... .
Cypripedium Pitcherianum
Cypripedium Roezlii . ._ New Grenada
Cypripedium Schrcedere ...
Cypripedium Spicerianum East Indies
Cypripedium Villosum India
Ccelogyne Cristata ---- Nepaul
Chysis bractescens Guatemala
Chysis aurea maculata Venezuela
Dendrobium moschatum East India
Dendrobium nobile China
Dendrobium speciosum E. Australia
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Moulmein, India
Dendrobium Wardianum _ — Assam
Dendrochilum glumaceum . Philippines
Epidendrum cochleatum. -
Epidendrum fragrans-
Epidendrum nemorale . Mexico
Gongora maculata 1 Guiana
Gongora nigrita i Tropical America
Laelia anceps Mexico
Laelia autumnalis Mexico
Laelia cinnabarina _ "-.. . Brazil
Laelia Dayana . Brazil
LEeliaflava '--- . ..-- Brazil
La^lia majalis Flor de Maio
Laelia Perrinii . Brazil
Laelia tenebrosa
Laelia purpurata Brazil
Lycaste aromatica . , Mexico
Lycaste Deppei So. Mexico
Lycaste Skinnerii Guatemala
Miltonia Clowesii . ... Brazil
Miltonia Spectabilis. .- Brazil
Odontoglossum citrosmum Guatemala
Odontoglossum grande Guatemala
Oncidium ampliatum -__ Central America
Oncidium citrinum Central America
Oncidium concolor Organ Mts., Brazil
Oncidium (Pap.) Kramerianum Central America
Oncidium ornithorynchium Mexico Bird-Bill Oncid.
Oncidium sarcodes Brazil
Oncidium splendidum Guatemala
Oncidium varicosum Brazil
Phajus grandifolius .- Australia
Saccolabium Blumei = East Indies
Sobralia macrantha Guatemala
Sophronites grandiflora .. Organ Mts., Brazil
Stanhopea oculata -- Mexico
Stanhopea Tigrina Mexico
Trichopilia tortilis Mexico
Vanda suavis Java
Vanda tricolor Java
MISCELLANEOUS PLANTS IN CONSERVATORIES
Acalypha marginata Fiji Islands
Acalypha tricolor New Hebrides
Acalypha Wilkesiana mar - Fiji
Acalypha Sandersii Chenille Plant
Adenocalymna comosa Brazil
Aloe variegata varieties South Africa
Ananassa sativa Pineapple
Ananassa sativa variegata Brazil
Agapanthus umbellatus Cape of Good Hope
Aralia Chabrierii --- Mauritius
Aralia filicifolia Polynesia
Aralia pentaphylla Japan
Aralia Sieboldii
Aralia Kerchoveana South Sea Islands
Araucaria Bidwilli Bunya-Bunya Pine
Araucaria excelsa Norfolk Island Pine
Acacia lophantha (Albizzia) New Holland
Allamanda grandiflora Brazil
Allamanda Schottii Brazil
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Abutilon eclipse varieg. Chinese Bellrlower
Abutilon striatum Brazil
Anthurium acaule West Indies
Anthurium crystallinum Columbia
Anthurium Clarkianum
Anthurium digitatum
Anthurium Ferrierense Ferrieres
Anthurium grande .
Anthurium Hookeni Tropical America
Anthurium Laucheanum ..
Anthurium magnificum Cundinamarca
Anthurium Ottoman um
Anthurium regale East Peru
Anthurium robust um
Anthurium Scherzerianum Flamingo Flower
Anthurium Veitchianum Columbia
Anthurium Waroqueanum Columbia
Anthurium Andreanum - Columbia
Aspidistra elatior Japan
Aspidistra elatior variegata
Astrapaea Wallichii Madagascar
Aphelandra nitens Columbia
Agave Americana South America
Agave picta . Mexico
Agave Victoria Mexico
Aglaonema commutatum Philippines
Aglaonema pictum Borneo
Aglaonema Roebelinii
Arum Dioscorides
Alocasia odorata Peru
Alocasia macrorhiza Polynesia
Alocasia metallica Borneo
Alocasia Sanderiana . Eastern Archipelago
Alocasia Thibautiana Borneo
Alocasia Veitchii ..
Alocasia zebrina Philippines
Anhalonium prismaticum
Anona Cherimola Peru
Anthericum vittatum varieg. St. Bernard's Lily
Aristolochia labiosa Brazil
Aristolochia gigas Sturtevantii Guatemala
Aristolochia ornithocephala Brazil
1/2
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Asparagus plumosa- -- South Africa
Asparagus Sprengerii
Azalea Indica India
Bambusa arundinacea r India
Beaucarnea stricta Mexico
Beaucarnea recurvata --- Mexico
Begonia varieties
Bignonia latifolia Cayenne
Biota Orientalis Japan
Bertolonia vittata Brazil
Bertolonia Van Houtei -
Billbergia Saundersii -■ -- Brazil
Bougainvillea glabra Sandersii . South America
Bougainvillea spectabilis -
Boussingaultia basselloides Madeira Vine
Caladium marmoratum Guayaqud
Caladium varieties-
Carica papaya Papaw Tree, Tropics
Calathea Leitzei Brazil
Calathea Vanden Heckei Brazil
Calathea ornata Columbia
Calathea ornata rosea lineata
Calathea princeps Peru
Calathea Wallisii South America
Calathea zebrina Brazil
Centradenia rosea Mexico
Cereus Peruvianus Monstrosus Tropical America
Cereus Grandiflorus ._ West Indies
Cyrtodeira metallica (fulgida) New Grenada
Cordyline Braziliensis
Cordyline Colocoma
Cordyline indivisa New Zealand
Cordyline Veitchii
Cordyline spectabilis
Chloranthus officinalis Tropics
Cissus discolor Java
Clerodendron Balfourii Calabar
Calceolaria crenatiflora varieties Chili
Curmeria Wallisii Columbia
Crinum amabile Sumatra
Cinnamomum Cassia _.. Cinnamon
Cobaea scandens Mexico
Citrus decumana Shaddock, Polynesia
Codiaeum Andreanum "Crotons"
Codiaeum aureum =
Codiaeum Comte de Germain
Codiaeum D' Israelii Polynesia
Codiaeum Elegans
Codiaeum Evansianum Polynesia
Codiaeum Fordii
Codiaeum Hanburyanum .
Codiaeum interruptum Polynesia
Codiaeum longi folium
Codiaeum spirale South Sea Islands
Codiaeum trilobum Polynesia
Codiaeum undulatuni Polynesia
Codiaeum Veitchii __. Polynesia
Codiaeum Prince of Wales
Codiaeum Weissmanii Polynesia
Codiaeum Williamsii
Coffea arabica Coffee, S.W. Abyssinia
Cyclamen Persicum Palestine, Syria
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
173
Cytissus Andreanum Normandy
Cytissus Canariensis Canary Islands Broom
Cycas revoluta Japan Sago Palm
Cycascircinalis East Indies
Cineraria cruenta hybrida varieties — Canary Islands
Cryptomeria Japonica Japan Cedar
Camelia Japonica- — Japanese Rose
Dioscorea bulbifera .. Yam
Dracaena Amboynensis Amboyna
Dracaena amabilis
Dracaena Baptista ---
Dracaena Braziliensis
Dracaena congesta .- ... Moreton Bay
Dracaena Cantrellii
Dracaena colossus
Dracaena Draco — Dragon Tree, Canary Islands
Dracaena ensi folia .. ._
Dracaena Fraserii
Dracaena fragrans Tropical Africa
Dracaena Guilfoylei . Australia
Dracaena Gladstonei
Dracaena gloriosa —
Dracaena Godseffiana
Dracaena Goldiana
Dracaena Haageana.-..
Dracaena frag. Lindenii
Dracaena frag. Massangeana
Dracaena marginata Madagascar
Dracaena Neo-Caledonia
Dracaena reginae
Dracaena recurva
Dracaena Rossi i .-
Dracaena Schuldii
Dracaena Sanderiana
Dracaena terminalis (cordyline) . South Sea Islands
Dracaena voluta —
Dracaena Youngii
Dichorisandra musaica . . Maynas
Dieffenbachia Bausei
Dieffenbachia Bowmanii Brazil
Dieffenbachia Carderii Columbia
Dieffenbachia gigantea Brazil
Dieffenbachia memori corsii ...
Dieffenbachia nobilis -. Brazil
Dieffenbachia velutina Columbia
Dioon edule Mexico
Epipremnum mirabile Fiji Tonga Plant
Echinopsis Millerii
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Euonymus variegata Nepaul
Echinocactus Lopothilli
Eriobotrya Japonica Loquat, Japanese Medlar
Erica stricta, Heath S.W.Europe
Elettaria cardamomum " Cardamons "
Encephalartos Altenstemii Cape of Good Hope
Eranthemum pulchellum East India
Eranthemum tricolor Polynesia
Eucharis Amazonica . ... New Grenada
Euphorbia splendens --- ---- Isle of Bourbon
174
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Euphorbia grandicornis
Euphorbia candelabra
Fittonia argyroneura Peru
Fittonia Verschaffeltii
Ficus Bausei
Ficus Cooperii __ Australia
Ficus elastica -' India Rubber Tree
Ficus minima Japan
Ficus miniata
Ficus macrophylla ^.. New South Wales
Ficus nitida .-- -. ..
Ficus Parcel Hi '. Polynesia
Ficus Quercifolia
Ficus radicans-i -'
Ficus repens — China
Ficus rubiginosa .._._. New South Wales
Ficus Roxburghii- Silhet
Ficus stipulata -- Japan
Fourcroya Selloa . Mexico
Freesia refracta alba Cape of Good Hope
Grevillea robusta - Silk Oak
Habrothamnus elegans . Mexico
Hibiscus Rosea-Sinensis . Tropics
Heliotropum Peruvianum Peru
Hedychium flavescens .-- Garland Flower
Heliconia aureo-striata Tropical America
Hedera helix -■ English Ivy
Hedera arborescens "Tree Ivy"
Hoffmannia Ghiesbrechtii "____'_ _ ___' South America
Isolepis gracilis (scirpus) Extra-Tropical
Ipomcea setosa Brazil
Imantophyllum Gardenii Natal
Impatiens Sultana Zanzibar
Jacaranda mimosa?folia -- Brazil
Justicea carnea Rio Janeiro
lusticea flava
justicea velutina
[atrophia podagrica Brazil
Kalosanthes coccinea
Kaempferia rotunda India
Linaria Cymbalaria Kenilvvorth Ivy
Ligularia Kaempferi aureo-maculata- .. Japan
Lantana delicatissima .._
Laurus nobilis Common Laurel
Lopezia racemosa Spider Flower, Mexico
Musa Cavendishii Banana
Musa paradisiaca
Musa sapientum-
Musa Sumatrana
Myrtus communis Myrtle
Macrozamia cylindracea -' . Australia
Manettia bicolor .. Organ Mts., Brazil
Monstera deliciosa Mexico
Maranta angustifolia Trinidad
Maranta arundinacea .. Indian Arrow Root
Maranta Chimboracensis Ecuador
Maranta Kerchoveana Brazil
Maranta Makoyana - Tropical America
Maranta Legrelliana Ecuador
Nephthytis picturata Congo
Nephthytis Liberica Liberia
Nephthytis triphylla
Nepenthes McFaddenii Pitcher Plant, Trop. Asia
Nepenthes Amesiana .-- -
Nepenthes phyllamphora pallida - Borneo
Nepenthes distillatoria -. -- - Ceylon
Nepenthes Dominiana -'-
Nepenthes Dominiana Major '
Nepenthes Domini .
Nepenthes intermedia
Nepenthes Morgania
Nepenthes Sand ersii
Nepenthes Trindlevii ----
Nepenthes Williamsii
Opuntia species Prickly Pear Cactus-
Osmanthus f ragrans- - . China
Panax Victoria - So. Pacific Islands
Pandanus utilis -- Screw Pine
Pandanus Javanicus Chandelier Tree
Pandanus Veitchii Polynesia
Pandanus Javan. Varieg. Java
Pandanus Amaryllifolius
Panicum plicatum niveo-vit Panic Grass
Panicum sulcatum
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
175
Passiflora coerulea South America
Passiflora Descaineana
Philodendron cannsefolium Brazil
Philodendron cuspidatum
Philodendron selloum
Philodendron Andreanum Columbia
Philodendron Gloriosum"
Philodendron verrucosum Ecuador
Pelargonium grandiflorum varieties--.-- Cape of Good Hope
Peperomia metallica Pepper Elder
Peperomia pel tae form is Brazil
Peperomia Saundersii Brazil
Piper nigrum Black Pepper, East In
Pitcairnea Andreana Venezuela
Phyllotsenium Lindenii New Grenada
Pimenta acris Allspice Tree
Pittosporum Tobira Japan
Pittosporum Tobira variegatum
Phvsianthus albens Cruel Plant
Pothos aurea Solomon Isles
Pothos argyrea Philippine Islands
Pothos celatocaulis N. W. Borneo
Phrynium variegatum 1 - - Singapore
Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenax, foleis varieg
Peri strophe angustifolia lanceolaria India
Peristrophe angustifolia varieg.
Primula Sinensis Chinese Primrose
Plumbago Capensis Cape of Good Hope
Primula grandiflora (vulgaris) Europe
Poinsettia pulcherrima Mexico
Primula obconica Central China
Ruellia macrantha Tropics
Reineckea carnea '. China
Rhododendron Ponticum varieties Asia Minor
Sanchezia nobilis -. Ecuador
Selaginella arborea Club-moss
Selaginella caesia " China
Selaginella viticulosa Central America
Selaginella Wildenovii Cochin China
Saccharum officinarum Sugar Cane, East Indii
Stigmaphyllon ciliatum - Golden Vine, Brazil
Solanum Seafortheanum azureum.- .. ._'__ West Indies
Solanum Wendlandi magnificum- - Costa Rica
Saxifraga sarmentosa Beefsteak Saxifrage
Sapindus Saponaria J Soap Berry
Sciadopitys verticillata .. Umbrella Pine, Japai
Strelitzia Reginse South Africa
Sterculia platanifolia China
Spathophyllum Wallisii New Grenada
Smilax salicifolia varieg. South America
Spathophyllum cannaefolium Brazil
Sanseviera Zeylanica Bowstring Hemp
Stapelia hirsuta - South Africa
1 7 6
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Tabernamontana coronaria fl. pi East Indian Rose Bay
Theobroma Cacao . Chocolate Tree
Thunbergia laurifolia - - India
Tillandsia angustifolia West Indies
Tillandsia Lindenii -- . Peruvian Andes
Tillandsia utriculata West Indies
Trachelospermum Jasminoides- ...- ._. Shanghai
Taxus baccata .. ._. Yew Tree
Taxus Hibernica - - - Florence Court Yew
Taxus stricta Japan Yew
Veltheimia viridifolia ._. South Africa
Viburnum laurestmus Laurestinus
BEDDING PLANTS
From 225,000 to 230,000 bedding plants are required for the
flower-beds and vases. The following are the species and varieties:
Abutilon Savitzii Brazil
AbutilonSouv.de Bonn-
Acalypha Macafeeana
Acalypha obovata Polynesia
Achyranthes Lindenii Ecuador
Achyranthes metal lica
Ageratum conyzoides .- - Mexico
Ageratum conyzoides, Cope's Pet
Alternanthera paronychoides Brazil
Alternanthera lati folia "
Alternanthera rosea- ..
Alternanthera versicolor . Brazil
Althea rosea, varieties China
Aster Victoria, improved varieties .. China
Begonia Erfurtii Moist tropical regions
Begonia Schmidtii - -.
Begonia Vernonia, double
Begonia Vernonia, crimson and gold
Bellis perennis . Daisy
Browallia speciosa major - - Peru
Cacalia articulata
Cineraria maritima candidissima- .... Dusty Miller
Chrysanthemum carinatum Barbary
Chrysanthemum frutescens - - Marguerite
Cuphea ignea Mexico Cigar Plant
Coleus Blumei, varieties Java
Coleus Pine Apple Beauty
Coleus Tesselata -.
Coleus Parquet
Crocus vernus, varieties, (10,000 plants)
Celosia cristata Asia, Cock's Comb
Celosia "Glasgow Prize"
Celosia Thompson's Superb
Caladium esculentum (Colocasia) . Sandwich Islands " Taro '
Canna Indica, varieties
Canna Alph.Bouvier
Canna Brilliant
Canna Chicago
Canna Chas. Henderson
Canna Duke of Marlborough ..
Canna Egandale
Canna Florence Vaughan
Canna Flamingo
Canna J. C. Cabos
Canna Mme. Crozy
Canna Philadelphia .:
Canna P. J. Berckman
Canna Queen Charlotte
Canna Souvenir Antoine Crozy
Canna Stella Kanst .
Canna Triumph
Dianthus chinensis Heddewigii - Indian Pink
Dianthus caryophyllus, varieties Carnation, Clove Pink
Dianthus, single annual varieties -
Dianthus Crimson Belle
Dianthus Eastern Queen
Echeveria secunda glauca, varieties .-- "Hen and Chickens "
Echeveria gibbiflora metallica .
Gomphrena globosa- Globe Amaranth, India
Gladiolus, varieties Corn Flag, Sword Lily
Hyacinthus orientalis, (2,000 used) Common Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis albulus Roman Hyacinth
Leucophyta Brownii Australia
Lobelia Paxtoniana ,-
Lophospermum scandens
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
i/7
Maurandia Barclayana
Matricaria inodorafl.pl. Double Chamomile
Mathiola annua, varieties Ten-Week-Stock
Mignonette Machet
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum. Heart-leaved Fig Marig
Othonna crassifolia Ragwort, Cape, So. Afri
Pelargonium inquians, varieties Bedding Geraniums
Pelargonium Mrs. Parker
Pelargonium Bruanti
Pelargonium Beaute de Poitevine
Pelargonium Mrs. E. G. Hill
Pelargonium La Favorite
Pelargonium Mad. Mollen
Pelargonium Rev. Mr. Atkinson
Pelargonium Mad. Solleroi
Pelargonium Harrison
Pelargonium Le Contable
Pelargonium pel tat um Ivy Geranium
Pelargonium Capitatum Rose Geranium
Pelargonium gravenlens Rose Geranium
Petunia violacea and varieties
Pilogyne (Zehneria) Suavis . South Africa
Phlox Drummondii, varieties
Pyrethrum aureum (Chrysanthemum) Golden Feverfew
Pyrethrum Parthenium (Chrysanthemum Feverfew, Europe
Ricinus Communis, varieties, Palma Christi ._... - Tropical Africa
Thymus Serpyllum vulg. argentea - .__ Lemon Thyme, S. Europe
Torenia Fournieri Cochin-Chin a
Torenia var. Princess of Montenegro
Tropaeolum majus, varieties - ._- Great Indian Cress
Tulipa Gesneriana, varieties, (30,000 Plants) Common Tulip, Levant
Vinca major variegata Band Plant
Vinca rosea oculata
Vinca rosea "Old Maid"
Vinca rosea alba
Verbena Venosa Brazil
Viola tricolor maxima hybrida, varieties - Pansy, Heart's Ease
Zinnia elegans varieties "Youth and Old Age," Mexico
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Chicago, March 31, 1899.
To The Commissioners of Lincoln Park.
Gentlemen, — I herewith submit a detailed report of receipts and
expenditures for Lincoln Park during' the fiscal year from April I,
1898, to March 31, 1899, and financial statements of general and
special funds. Very respectfully,
■ I. J. Bryan, Secretary.
•RECEIPTS
Balance of cash in Treasurer's hands Si 12,72443
Tax levy of l8g7 §205,942.57
On account of tax levy of 180.8 - 25,000.00
From interest on bank balances 4,372.19
From boats 4,564.40
From swings 450.00
From phaetons 1,1 33.33
From permit fees 56.00
From rent of refectories 5,225.00
From rent of pier 126.00
From rent of bicvele racks 26.77
From rent of steam roller - - 718.25
Sale of animals —
16 rabbits, 25c S4-00
4 white kittens, Sio 40.00
2 great Dane dogs, Sio 20.00
2 lion cubs 250.00
4 ducks 1.20 315.20
From barn account —
Sale of horses $187.50
Sale of harness 18.16
Board of horse . 13.50 219.16
Labor and material —
Ohio Street extension Si, 784. 26
Chicago Star C. & D. Co. 33-co
Sand 1 ,364.40
Manure 228.30
Trees 15.00
Teaming 1,355.10
Electric launches 284.00
01 d boats 5.00
Old junk 51.52
Forward S5, '20.58 8248,148. 87 Sn2.724.43
Brought forward ._ S5, 120.58 S248, 148.87 $112,724.43
Old lawn mowers 24.00
Old lead cable -. 35.50
Old uniforms (police) 40.00
Artesian water 5.00
Copy of minutes 1.50
Street repairs . 3.80
Refectory repairs- - 14.19
Sundries 260.51 5,505.08
Sale of protection bonds 46,671.20
Ohio Street Extension 66,481.00
. Oak Street breakwater 14,327.00
From Boulevard, maintenance account —
Fullerton Avenue Boulevard- 550.00
Lincoln Park Boulevard 1,205.92
Dearborn Boulevard 1,091.22
Diversey Boulevard 456.25 3,303.39
Credit to Ohio Street improvement 25.18
Deposits on badges and permits 249.00 384,710.72
Total receipts from all sources $497,435.15
DISBURSEMENTS
Unpaid vouchers April 1,1898 §18,710.17
Park Maintenance expenses --- 127,909.33
Coupon interest 24,100.00
Ohio Street Extension 65.933.~S
Oak Street breakwater 6.170.00
Shore protection 8,603.62
Belmont Avenue breakwater 1,411.95
North Shore Drive improvement 2,294.41
Diversey Avenue, west, assessment 157.05
Pine Street improvement 200.00
Fullerton Avenue, west, assessment 5 0<I 5
Sheridan Road assessment — 38.45
Lake Shore Drive, maintenance $1,278.90
Sheridan Road 3,577-40
Diversey Avenue, east 479-8o
Fullerton Avenue, east 131.10
Fullerton Avenue, west 865.55
North Park Avenue 198-70
North Avenue 335-85
Dearborn Avenue Boulevard 561.05
Lincoln Park Boulevard 1,101.05 8,529.40
Chicago Avenue Park 5,786.22
Park enlargement 53-5°
Forward s269.948.03 S497,435- I 5
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
179
Brought forward — .
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Bridge No. 4 $2,016.40
New barn 24,025.97
New animal house 5,221.60
Old animal house, alterations 7,5 '7-35-
North Pavilion 108.00
New horse fountain 53-35
New elephant shelter 248.62
New telephone 548.09
New fences 1,227.40
New toilet, baseball grounds 332.45
New propagating houses 392.46
New pheasant cages 666.60
New animal shelter and yards 10.40
New animals 2,094.46
Disbursements for previous year $18,710.17
Total disbursements for current year ._ 295,701.01
S269.94S.03 $497,435-15
44,463-i5
S1b3.023.97
DUE SPECIAL FUNDS
For advance taxes for 1899 collected $25,000.00
For Ohio Street Extension 41,326.79
For Oak Street breakwater 8,157.00
Cobb's assessment 1,189.30
Dearborn Boulevard 2037
Shore protection fund _. 38,067.58
Sinking fund 43,708.23
Permits and badges 501.25
Coupon interest 450.00 $158,420.52
Surplus in general fund 24,603.45
$183,023.97
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Due general and special funds $183,023.97
Vouchers unpaid, March 31, 1899 9,156.57 $192,180.54
CASH ON HAND
Balance from Treasurer's statement, March 31, 1899 — $199,286.78
Checks drawn, but not presented 7,732.35
Balance in Treasurer's hands $191,554.43
Balance in Cashier's hands 626.11 $192,180.54
STATEMENT OF SPECIAL FUNDS
OHIO STREET EXTENSION
Cash balance, April 1, 1898 $40,754.39
Received from property owners 66,506.18 $107.
Disbursements $65,933.78
Cash balance, March 31, 1899 --._ ._. ._ 41,326.79 107.
NORTH SHORE DRIVE
Cash balance, April 1, 1898 $503.75
260.57
260.57
Advanced from Gene
Disbursements
OAK STREET BREAKWATER
1,790.66 $2,294.41
2,294.41
Received during the year
Disbursements $6,170.00
Cash balance, March 31, 1899 - . .. 8,157.00
LAKE SHORE PROTECTION
Received from sale of bonds $40,000.00
Received from premium on bonds 6,600.00
Received from accrued interest 71.20
327.00
327.00
Disbursements
Cash balance, March 31, 18
5,603.62
5,067.58
.671.20
.671.20
LAKE SHORE PROTECTION BONDS
The total bonded indebtedness of Lincoln Park, March 31, 1899,
was §500,000, in bonds of the town of North Chicago, as follows:
$300,000 Lincoln Park Shore Protection Bonds, issued October 1, 1887, maturing
October 1, 1907, bearing 5 per cent interest, payable semi-annually on
October 1 and April 1, at the State Bank of Chicago. A Sinking Fund for
the payment of the bonds at maturity is provided for by annual taxation,
but no provision is made for retiring any part of the issue prior to 1907.
$160,000 Lincoln Park Shore Protection Bonds, issued August 1, 1891, maturing in
twenty years, bearing 5 per cent interest, payable semi-annually on Feb-
ruary 1 and August 1, at the State Bank of Chicago, other conditions same
as those of first issue.
$40,000 Lincoln Park Shore Protection Bonds, issued July 1, 1898, maturing in
twenty years, bearing 5 per cent interest, payable semi-annually on January
1 and July 1, at the State Bank of Chicago, other conditions same as those
of first issue.
SINKING FUND ACCOUNT
Cash balance, April I, 1898 $21,661.68
Received from tax levy $21,276.67'
Received from interest on balances 769.88 22,046.55 $43,708.23
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
STATEMENT OF TAX LEVY FOR 189S
Total tax levy
Cost of collection and loss
Brought forward
From North Chicago, for maintenance and improvement of Park:
Appropriated by Supervisor S140, 00000
Excess of levy .. 2,345.34
Total collections $234,473.!
Amount of tax warrant $142,345.34
Amount uncollected §4,619,49
DIVIDED AS FOLLOWS
From North Chicago for sinking fund and interest on shore protection boi:
Appropriated by Supervisor - S46.000.00
Excess of levy 942.67
Amount of tax warrants-
Amount uncollected 8992-85
County Clerk's fees for extending tax 451.26
Town Collector's commissions for collecting
$13.73975 at - P el ' cent--.- 274.79
County Collector s Commissions for collecting
§32,210.07 at I per cent 322.10
n.ty Clerk's fees for extending tax.
Town Collector's commissions for collecting
841,156.54 at 2 per cent .
County Collector's commissions for collecting
896,56981 at 1 per cent
451-26
965.70 6,859.59 135.48575
S46.942.67
From Lake View, for maintenance and improvement of Park:
Appropriated by Su pel' visor
Excess of levy .__-__
2,041.00 S44,QOI.67
Separated as follows:
Interest — - S23.625.00
Sinking fund 21,276.67
Amount of tax warrant-
Amount uncollected
County Clerk's fees for extending tax
Town Collector's commissions for collecting
Si 8, 009. 45 at 2 per cent
County Collector's commissions for collecting
836,65 1.55 at 1 per cent
S305.46
73040
378.18
366.51
S55.S66.96
80.55 54,086.41
8234,473-83
SUMMARY OF ALL EXPENDITURES
April i, r8g8, to March 31, 1S99
PARK MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS
ADMINISTRATION
Salaries, pay roll S9.261.75
SUPPLIES
Annual Report, 1897-1898 S331.90
Annual Report, 1898-1899 . 748.07
Printing 168.26
Stationery 77-13
Bonds of employes . 70.00
Engineering supplies 58.94
Court costs and legal expenses - 15.60
Decorating office 148.14
Typewriter and supplies u... 118.45
Telephone service '76-95
Postage 128.00
Street car tickets . ' 70.00
Sundry expenses 348.25 2,459.69 Si 1,721.44
POLICE
Salaries, pay roll $20,606.75
SUPPLIES
Bicycle repairs S247.45
Stars and clubs 44-85
Buggy for Captain 125.00
Fuel 55-25
Sundries 46.26 518.81 21,125.56
STABLES
WAGES
Care of horses and barn 32,071. 15
Wagon repairs 754.85
Harness repairs 2:85 S2.828.85
SUPPLIES
Feed S3,7°4-7^
Horseshoeing 1,373.8 1
Medicine 84.59
Forward - 85,613.12 $2,828.85 S32.847.00
Brought forward .... ... S5.163.12 S2.828.85 S32.S47.00
Fuel 110.68
Insurance 38C55
Buggy ... 200.66
Sundries 83.42
Sundries, wagon repairs ... 189.96
Sundries, harness repairs 191.02 6,318.75 9,147.60
FLORAL DEPARTMENT
WAGES
Department employes — 89,01 1.25
Building repairs 360.85 $9,372.10
SUPPLIES
Fuel S5,o8o.68
Plants, bulbs and seeds - _ 694.17
Black soil 144.50
Hose 117.25
Flowerpots ._ 73-55
Wire netting, Palm House 150.40
Repairs to heating plant 80.70
Sundries 300.33 6,641.58 16,013.68
LAWNS
WAGES
Foremen __ S427.45
Seeding and repairing 655.77
Fertilizing 834.12
Mowing grass . . . .' 3,295.70
Raking and carting leaves and grass - 2,961.80
Sprinkling 1 743-5°
Cleaning 587.46
Picking paper 969.95
Pulling weeds : 161.45
Repairing fences 184.05
Repairing mowing-machines and tools 108.40
Painting tools and paper-baskets 62.00
Care of Union Square 16.75 Si 1,008.40
Forward Si 1,008.40858,008.28
182
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
Brought forward S11.008.40 S5S.008.28
SUPPLIES
Hose -.-- $776.00
Sprinklers 33-20
Lawn mowers and tools 228.20
Grass seed 38-92
Paints for baskets 11.40
Lumber for fence repairs 79-87
Wire for fence repairs -- 44-33
Sundries 25.18 1,237.10 12,245.50
TREES
WAGES
Foremen §121.10
Wiring trees 59-5°
Watering trees 37 6 -35
Trimming trees 360.65
Carting brush 50. 1 o
R epa i ring tools ' 10. 1 5
Weeding nursery >3-5°
Planting 901.10
Carting trees and soil 349-6o
Grubbing 102.55 S2.344.60
SUPPLIES
Black soil $249-20
Tar 11.49
Tools 20.05
Sundries 9.56 290.30 2,634.90
WALKS
WAGES
Foremen $69.25
Cleaning (in Park)-. . 688.70
Sweeping Clark Street walk 250.60
Repairing 350.85
Edging 486.40
Sprinkling 100.60
Clearing snow 56-25
Making and painting benches 235.70
Repairing tools and signs 5-'°
Repairing tunnels 32.95 $2,276.40
SUPPLIES
Slag $22.50
Lumber and paint for benches 37-58
Sundries 7- 2 5 6 7-33 2,343.73
Forward -- $75,232.41
Brought forward 875,232.41
DRIVES
WAGES
Cleaning $1,705.75
Repairing 127.75
Sprinkling 77S.70
Repairing and pain ling tools "_ 20.00 $2,632.20
SUPPLIES
Stone and gravel for repairs $617.76
Brooms and brushes 23.50 641.26 $3,273.46
SPRINKLING-WAGON REPAIRS
WAGES
Pay roll $427.60
SUPPLIES
Hose - . . $i 26.33
Paints 149.70
Sundries 1 14.98 291.01 718.61
STEAM-ROLLER SERVICE
WAGES
Pay roll S79-75
SUPPLIES
Fuel $22.15
Sundries for repairs IO -99 33->4 112.89
ANIMAL DEPARTMENT
WAGES
Attendants $4,11 1.50
Night watchman 360.00
Repairs 202.45
Cleaning 286.25 $4,960.20
SUPPLIES
Meat $2,900.03
Bread ' 545-62
Fish-- 323.75
Milk 121.24
Hay 738-08
Oats . 382.09
Corn ' ■- 79-77
Wheat 5.81
Forward $5,096.39 $4,960.20 $79,337.37
A HISTORY OF LINCOLN PARK
183
Brought forward 55,096. 39 514,960.20 S79.337.37
Bran 4.10
Birdseed-- 48.49
Carrots 55.25
Cabbage 46.00
Potatoes 27.63
Onions 7.15
Rice ~ 1.60
Apples 31.75
Bananas M-55
Nuts - 23.00
Eggs-..- 3.27
Salt 2.00
Pepper :. 140
Total food S5.362.5S
Investigating animal -houses 187.41
Disinfectants 135.00
Hose 83.83
Building and cage repairs 82.91
Medicine 69.95
Coal 67.84
Hardware 50.64
Brooms and brushes 50.30
Ice 19.74
Signs 16.70
Soap-—-- ,5.75
Sundries 147-39 6,290.04 11,250.24
WATER
WAGES
Operating power plant $3,107.95
Repairing machinery 204.10
Repairing water mains 591.75
Cleaning 29.00 S3, 932. 80
SUPPLIES
Coal §2,095.74
Machinery repairs 183.24
Boiler compound 92.22
Engine oil 146.90
Water-pipe and fittings 184.38
Packing 29.06
Waste 35-74
Polish 12.00
Tools - . . 14.88
Building repairs 6.45
Sundries 21.10 2,821.71
Forward
Brought forward ■ .. 897,342. 1 2
LIGHT
WAGES
Operating plant and lights S5.958-75
Machinery repairs 172.50
Cleaning-- 28.75 S6, 160.00
SUPPLIES
Coal S2.095.78
Arc-light carbons 420.00
Arc-light globes 54-75
Electric supplies 236.58
Machinery repairs 234.55
Expert opinion conduit contract 75-00
Engine oil 1 146.80
Boiler compound 92.23
Building repairs 8.18
Packing 27.72
Waste 35-70
Polish 12. 00
Tools 14.52
Sundries 75.11 3,528.92 9,688.92
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
WAGES
Academy officials $2, 520.00
Engineer and janitor service 2,040.00
Building repairs 53.35 S4.613.35
SUPPLIES
Fuel S463.31
Sundries 107.98 571.29 5,184.64
TOILET-ROOMS
WAGES
Attendants $2,920.00
Repairs .___ 356-35S3.276.35
SUPPLIES
Plumbing $55.75
Coal ..- 42.03
Building repairs.-.^ 22.93
Sundries 40.13 160.84 3.437.!9
SWINGS
WAGES
Repairs $29.40
SUPPLIES
Lumber $16.04
Sundries 2.65 18.69 48.09
Forward Si 15,700.96
184 • A HISTORY OF
Brought forward , Si 15,700.96
WELLS AND FOUNTAINS
WAGES
Repairs S6.95
SUPPLIES
Pipe and fittings $25.09
Cups and chains 24.10
Sundries 1.42 50.70 57.65
SEWERS
WAGES
Repairs $248.10
SUPPLIES
Lumber $11 15
Cement 17.65
Meals for workmen 2.00 30.80 278.90
SHORE PROTECTION
WAGES
Repairs 51-95
ELECTRIC FOUNTAIN
WAGES
Operating fountain $258.15
SUPPLIES
Services 6.00 264. 1 5
BOATS
WAGES
Attendants $1,162.00
Repairing 1 ,226.45
Cleaning pond surfaces 543-35
Carting.-- 55.65 S2.987.45
SUPPLIES
Lumber for boat repairs S70.66
Nails, screws, etc., repairs 51-43
Paint 108.64
Painting tools 1 1-45
Oars ..._ 31.85
Awning for swan boat 14.00
Sundries 42.18 330.21 3,317.66
Forward S119.671.27
LINCOLN PARK
Brought forward $i ig.671.27
SKATING
WAGES
Cleaning ice.-.-- $1,163.70
Building shelter 37-90
Temporary floors South Refectory 21.75
Temporary floors North Pavilion 36.00
Repairing ice-scrapers- 56-55
Attendants..- 69.50 Si, 385.40
SUPPLIES
Lumber shelter. $21.50
Lumber, temporary floor, South Refectory - 16.00
Coal shelter 2.63
Sundries 9.07 49-20 1,431.60
GAMES
WAGES
Marking tennis-courts $172.95
Erecting foot-ball goalposts 4.90 S177.85
SUPPLIES
Whiting $22.60
Marking cart 4.50
Application blanks 5.50
Record slips 4.50
Sundries 2.07 39.17 217.02
BATHING BEACH
WAGES
Attendant Suo.oo
Cleaning 5.25 1 15.25
MUSIC
WAGES
Repairing band-stands $31.60
SUPPLIES
Concerts $1,310.00
Sundries 1.10 1,311.10 1,3427°
SOUTH REFECTORY
WAGES
Repairs S63.65
SUPPLIES
Painting contract $45°-°°
Sundries 2.84 45 2 - 8 4 5 l6 -49
Forward Si 23,297.33
A HISTORY OF
Brought forward Si 23,297.33
NORTH PAVILION
WAGES
Repairing doors — .75
INLET BRIDGE
WAGES
Repairs -- -. .-- $28.80
SUPPLIES
Lumber for repairs -- $41.00
Screws- --. .38 41.38 70.18
LAGOON BRIDGE
WAGES
Repairs S46.75
SUPPLIES
Lumber for repairs $84.00
Nails 1.70 85.70 132.45
BRIDGE NO. 2
WAGES
Repairs-- 3.30
BRIDGE NO. 4
WAGES
Repairs 7.85
GENERAL WORK
WAGES
Assistant superintendent $500.80
Expressman 540.00
Storekeeper 529.85
Carpenters 126.95
Blacksmiths 69.20
Painters 39-35
Teaming and labor 2,156.75 $3,962.90
SUPPLIES
Lumber $69-18
Tools 78.52
Paint 89.54
Coal 50.25
Kerosene 46.12
Bicycle repairs 14.50
Nails - 16.35
Iron 14.88
Flags 1935
Soap 12.95
Sundries-- - 22.93 434-57 4,397-47
Total wages park maintenance $93,187.20
Total supplies park maintenance 34,722.13 $127,909.33
LINCOLN PARK
185
LAKE SHORE PROTECTION ACCOUNTS
$212.40
PAVED BEACH PROTECTION
WAGES
Pay roll
SUPPLIES
Printing bonds S50.00
Granite paving blocks 5,074.50
Breakwater contract 2,930.37
Engineer . 250.00
Sundries- 86.35 8,391.22
OAK STREET BREAKWATER
Contract
BELMONT AVENUE BREAKWATER
WAGES
Pay roll $0.75
SUPPLIES
Breakwater contract $1,396.80
Advertising 14.40 1,411.20
liOXD accoun r
Coupon interest -
Total wages ..
Total supplies
$213.15
40,072.42
$8,603.62
6,170.00
1,411.95
24.100.00
PARK IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNTS
NEW BARN
WAGES
Engineer $49.05
Excavating 641.75
Grading 269.45
Sewers 383.05
Carpentry 316.55 $1 ,659.85
SUPPLIES
Architect's fees $930.33
Masonry contract 6,900.
Carpentry contract 4,437.
Roofingcontract 3,175
Asphalt floor contract 3,360
Electrical fittings 189
Painting 500.
Steam fitting : 295
Plumbing 337
Iron work 1,809
Sundries 433
For
2,366.12 $24,025.97
$24,025.97
1 86 A HISTORY OF
Brought forward 824,025. 97
ANIMAL-HOUSE ALTERATIONS
WAGES
Engineer $54.10
Labor 777-40 $831.50
SUPPLIES
Ironwork 85,355.00
Steam fitting U7-47
Cement 14.5:20
Brick 127.50
Cut-stone work 375 00
Lumber 376.33
Sundries '59-35 6,685.85 7,517.35
NEW ANIMAL-HOUSE
WAGES
Pay roll 8295.20
SUPPLIES
Contract $4,574.00
Architect's fees ' 228.50
Sundries 123.90 4,926.40 5,221.60
ANIMAL PURCHASES
1 Tiger : $600.00
1 Lion 500.00
1 Zebra 500.00
1 Pair zebus 100.00
1 Yak 85.00
1 Fallow deer 60.00
1 Honey bear 20.00
2 White raccoons 20.00
1 Pairswans--- 60.00
2 Silver pheasants 25.00
3 Pair Canadian geese 18.00
Sundry small animals and express charges 106.46 2,094.46
NEW FENCES
(Animal paddock and duck pond.)
WAGES
Pay roll S199.65
SUPPLIES
Wire fences S918.75
Stone 9.00 927.75 1,127.40
Forward S39.986.78
LINCOLN .PARK
Brought forward $39,986.78
PHEASANT-CAGES
WAGES
Engineer $29.85 - •
Labor , : 198.50 $228.35
SUPPLIES
Sundries 438.25 666.60
ELEPHANT SHELTER
, WAGES
Pay roll- _" $153.80
SUPPLIES
Sundries 94.82 248.62
ANIMAL YARDS AND SHELTER
WAGES
Pay roll 10.40
SOUTH .CHANNEL BRIDGE
WAGES
Pay roll $482.50
SUPPLIES
Stone $166.80
Iron work 876.00
Cement work " 491.10 1,533.90 2,016.40
NEW TELEPHONE
WAGES
Pay roll S21.35
SUPPLIES
Contract $498.40
Sundries 28.34 526.74 548.09
NEW PROPAGATING HOUSE
WAGES
Engineer $92.35
Moving trees, etc 297.05 S389.40
SUPPLIES
Sundries 3.06 392.46
BASE-BALL TOILET-HOUSE
WAGES
Pay roll S176.90
SUPPLIES
Sundries 155.55 332-45
Forward $44,201.80
A HISTORY OF
Brought forward S44.201.80
NORTH PAVILION
SUPPLIES
Cement (old bill) 108.00
LAGOON FENCE
SUPPLIES
Painting — 100.00
HORSE FOUNTAIN
WAGES
Pay roll--- S18.35
SUPPLIES
Trough — 35.00 53.35
Total wages 54,467. 25
Total supplies 30,995.90 $44,463.15
PARK CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTS
CHICAGO AVENUE PARK
WAGES
Teaming $874.95
Labor 2,47 1 .70
Watchman 35 2 45 $3,699-10
SUPPLIES
Soil si, 35 1.96
Plans 150.00
Trees 532.50
Sundries 52.66 2,087.12 5,786.22
PARK ENLARGEMENT
WAGES
Payroll 10.00
SUPPLIES
Court costs 43-50 53,5°
Total wages - - S3, 701). 1 o
Total supplies . 2,130.62 $5, 839.72
BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS
SHERIDAN ROAD
WAGES
Teams, sprinkling, etc $404.50
Labor, cleaning .1,661.50 S2.066.00
SUPPLIES
Electric light - Si, 100.00
Trees 380.00
Sundries 3140 1,511.40 S3.577.40
Forward S3.577.40
I8 7
53.57740
1,278.90
LINCOLN PARK
Brought forward
LAKE SHORE DRIVE
WAGES
Sprinkling ' $231-80
Cleaning 1,047.10
LINCOLN PARK BOULEVARD, SOUTH
WAGES
Police $507.50
Sprinkling __ 96.90
Cleaning 275.15
Labor and superintendence - 147.20 $1,026.75
SUPPLIES
Teaming $62.30
Manure --' 12.00 74-30 1,101.05
FULLERTON AVENUE, WEST
WAGES
Police $490.00
Sprinkling- 44.60
Cleaning 166.45
Labor and superintendence -•-- - - 125.55 S826.60
SUPPLIES
Teaming-
FULLERTON AVENUE, EAST
WAGES
Sprinkling
Cleaning
DIVERSEY AVENUE, EAST
WAGES
Sprinkling •- $122.90
Cleaning 214.40
Labor and superintendence 41-55 $378-!
SUPPLIES
Teaming S54.75
Tree guards 35-20
Legal expense 11.00 ioo.<
DEARBORN AVENUE BOULEVARD
WAGES
Police $210.00
Sprinkling 81.25
Labor, cleaning and superintendence — 17740 $468.65
Forward S468.65 $7,433.80
38.95 865.55
$2 1 .60
109.50
479.80
brought forward-
Teaming -
Lamps ---
Black soil
$51.40
30.00
1 1 .00
HISTORY OF
$468.65 S7,433-8o
02.40 561.05
Sprinkling
Cleaning --
NORTH AVENUE BOULEVARD
WAGES
S59.65
182.60
SUPPLIES
Crushed stone-
93-6° 335.85
NORTH PARK AVENUE BOULEVARD
WAGES
Sprinkling
Cleaning -
$62.60
136.10
198 70
Total wages- --
Total supplies
S6,6 17.80
1,911.60
LINCOLN PARK
Brought forward —
BOULEVARD CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTS
OHIO STREET EXTENSION
WAGES
11 SIQ,8qS.30
Pay rolls v v J
SUPPLIES
Dredging sand -- Sl7 , ,3 l^
%ment b,0CkS -- ^
Lenient n /ro.
Crushed stone for roadway- , , ei
Legal expenses--- ^,010.5
Rubble stone.--- , , To
Teaming .35 -4°
Water pipe and fittings - |-3°4- "S
Sharp sand for cement- '„,2' on
Trees --• '.o//- uu
Black soil 70973
Lumber ,Ij'en
Slag for roadway ^2.50
Curb"« - ^63 ^6^8 s65.033.78
NORTH SHORE DRIVE
WAGES
Teaming ---
Labor and superintendence-
S3i 2 -3°
904.25 Si, 216.55
Si.216.55 $65,033.78
$1,216.55 $65,933-78
SUPPLIES
Soil-- - - S354-50
Manure >75.c°
Trees---- *°5-°°
Grass seed — I 5-9 ei
Legal expense 27.00
Sundries 10 -4°
LINCOLN PARK BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT
SUPPLIES
Legal expense.
DIVERSEY AVENUE, WEST, ASSESSMENT
WAGES
Engineer... S75-5°
Labor-.. - '-55 «77-<
SUPPLIES
Legal expense -
FULLERTON AVENUE, WEST, ASSESSMENT
SUPPLIES
Court costs -•- v *
Typewriting
Postal notices
Transcripts of rolls
Sundries
SHERIDAN ROAD ASSESSMENT
SUPPLIES
Court costs - - -
Typewriting —
Postal notices-
Sundries
Sio.oo
20.00
5 60
38 45
Total wages---
Total supplies
S21.191.qo
47,481.94 S68.673.84
RECAPITULATION
Total park maintenance accounts ---
Total lake shore protection accounts-
Total interest on bonds-
Total park improvement accounts---
Total park construction accounts
Total boulevard maintenance accounts
Total boulevard construction accounts-
S127.900.33
516,185. 57
24,100.00 40,285.57
Total disbursements -
PRINTED FOR THE COMMISSIONERS OF LINCOLN
PARK BY R. R. DONNELLEY AND SONS COMPANY
AT THE LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
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Chicago St*te University
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